The Phillies announced today that they’ve activated Cody Asche from the 15-day disabled list and designated outfielder David Lough for assignment to clear a spot for Asche on the active roster. Additionally, the team activated southpaw Mario Hollands, who underwent Tommy John surgery in April 2015, from the disabled list and optioned him to Triple-A Lehigh Valley.
Lough, 30, inked a minor league contract with the Phils this offseason, and while he didn’t make the team out of Spring Training, he had his contract selected to the big league roster in mid-April Since April 18, Lough has appeared in 30 games for Philadelphia, batting .239/.342/.313 in 79 plate appearances. He’s long graded out as a defensively sound corner outfielder, and that was again the case in this season’s limited sample of innings.
The Phillies will have 10 days to trade, release or outright Lough, although if he clears outright waivers he’d have the option to reject an assignment to the minors in favor of free agency due to the fact that he’s been outrighted in the past. Lough is a career .254/.300/.371 hitter whose best seasons came in 2013-14 while serving as a platoon outfielder for the Royals and Orioles. He batted a combined .272/.310/.403 during that time, with the vast majority of his at-bats coming against right-handed pitching.
Here’s hoping Asche can catch fire and bring back a middling prospect in a trade
I’d rather just play him this year & keep him as LH bench bat going forward able to play 1B,3B,LF
I’m wondering about the opt out if the phils outright him and he refuses, if he does refuse are the Phillies obligated to pay him out to have him elect free agency? Or does he give up that pro rated contract
Kind of laughable that Lough was even on the phillies roster this long. It’s also laughable that Asche is brought back up when he’s a TERRIBLE outfielder and a mediocre hitter.
Considering he’s a natural third baseman you can’t fault him that much
Time for David Lough in Cleveland.
Angels minor league deal
Bye David!!