The Phillies announced they have released right-handed reliever Drew Storen and outfielder Matt Szczur. Both were among a large group of veterans in camp on minor-league deals this spring.
Storen is most famous for his run with the Nationals, where he combined for a 3.02 ERA/3.09 FIP in 334 relief innings between 2010-15. He fell on tough times after leaving Washington and hasn’t seen big league action since suiting up with the 2017 Reds, partially due to Tommy John surgery.
Szczur, meanwhile, hit well in limited time with the Diamondbacks’ Triple-A affiliate in 2019. Unfortunately, that wasn’t enough to earn him another shot in the majors, where he logged a bit of time every season from 2014-18. The 30-year-old has a career .231/.312/.355 slash (81 wRC+) in 667 plate appearances.
Szczur was a local, but not going to stick in the majors as a Punch & Judy hitting OF.
was really hoping Storen would make the team
Me too. I thought Storen was going to make the team after the news that Seranthony Dominguez is going to need a Tommy John surgery. Hopefully, Storen is signed by another team.
Drew is one of my all time favorite Nats. I really hope he catches on somewhere.
Japan he’s only hope.
Et tu, Matte? Then fall Szczur.
League in Italy?
Was hoping for Storen to emerge and be a viable option out of the pen, especially after Seranthony went down. The Phillies need to use Spencer Howard as their 6th starter and pray VV can adapt to a high leverage bullpen role. He’s awful after batters see him the second and especially third time, through the order. He relies too much on his fastball. He has all the makings of a reliever and we need him to be a good one.
Wish the Cardinals would take a flyer on Drew Storen!!
Why
Szczur has a .667 OPS in 667 PA
The Red Sox should bring Storen in for a workout. For Philly to cut him, he must still be struggling post Tommy John. There are a lot more pitchers who wash out after TJ than we hear about. I too was a big Storen fan and hope he’s able to stage a comeback somewhere else.