The Phillies have officially called up right-hander Spencer Howard to start tonight’s game against the Red Sox. A roster spot was created when left-hander Matt Moore was placed on the 10-day IL due to a back injury, according to Matt Breen of the Philadelphia Inquirer (Twitter link). According to the Phillies, Moore is suffering from back spasms, and his placement is retroactive to May 21.
Howard began the season in Philadelphia’s bullpen, as the team intended to deploy him as a reliever in order to better manage his innings. However, since Moore and Chase Anderson both struggled as the team’s fourth and fifth starters, the decision was made to stretch Howard out back into a starting role.
Manager Joe Girardi told reporters (including NBC Sports Philadelphia’s Jim Salisbury) yesterday that Howard would be limited to roughly 55-60 pitches today. It remains to be seen how long Howard’s stint in the rotation will last, or whether or not the Phillies will eventually use him as something of a “normal” starter, or whether they’ll continue to use him in these rather limited starts to get as much game action out of the young righty as possible.
Vince Velasquez’s health status will certainly be a factor, as Velasquez was a late scratch from his most recent start due to a finger numbness issue that has bothered him in the past. Beyond the impressive top trio of Aaron Nola, Zach Eflin, and Zack Wheeler, Velasquez had been giving the Phillies some quality work as the fourth starter, so if he is able to stay healthy and Howard is able to pitch up to expectations, the Phils might suddenly have one of the more solid rotations in the game. Of course, there isn’t much depth beyond those options, given how Anderson has been relegated to bullpen work and Moore will be out of action for at least the next 10 days.
Howard has a 6.28 ERA over 28 2/3 innings in his brief MLB career thus far, though the 2017 second-rounder is considered to be one of baseball’s better pitching prospects. Injuries have slowed Howard’s progress (hence the innings limit), though he has performed well when healthy in the minor leagues. Getting his first taste of Triple-A this year, Howard has allowed only a single run over nine innings, though he has issued five walks.
Matt M has made 30 million bucks on a barely average career. Good for him.
Kind of below average when you look at his WAA.
Oh what I wouldn’t give to be 6’3″ and left-handed
It’s not too late!
Wouldn’t give?
Let’s see, The team has a 3rd baseman that can’t throw…a first baseman that can’t catch, the best backup catcher who can’t block balls in the dirt and also can’t throw down to 2nd..Maton always seems to just miss grounders..Segura has become very lazy and the only player playing well is Odubel..Goofy is doing well…The bull pen is starting to look like last years version….you have a guy that throws 101mph and nobody knows where it will end up..
That about sums it up. Add that Bryce is having a great season but seems to have started dialing it in.
Things look bleak to be honest. When they click, they look like a playoff contender, but they haven’t clicked in awhile. Unles things drastically change, I see them as a 4th place team at best. Harper, Realmuto and Wheeler are studs. Everyone else has issues. Hopefully things get better when Didi and Realmuto come back, but I feel like they’re falling fast. Tough team to watch. So much wasted talent.
Joe’s not blind..he has Marchan starting tonight..I hope his D is as advertised..
So, open question..If Roman didn’t do what he does best (get hurt) and Haseley hung around, would Goofy been able to show he is the best of them?
I think it’s Herrera’s job to lose. He’s been hitting.
Harper is a very good player. He’s not a stud.
Too inconsistent. And now he’s clearly playing though an injury. Sit him down for a week or two and get him right. Problem is, they don’t have anyone who can step in and play