The Phillies announced a number of roster moves this afternoon. Matt Joyce has been placed on the 10-day injured list with a lower back strain and Andrew Knapp has been placed on the 7-day injured list because of a concussion. In their place, the Phillies have selected the contract of outfielder Matt Vierling and recalled catcher Rafael Marchan from Triple-A.
The 36-year-old Joyce has had a limited impact this season as an extra bat off the bench. In 62 plate appearances across 36 games, Joyce has slashed .100/.258/.240. In his defense, most of that action has come in a pinch-hitting role. True to his reputation, he’s also maintained a positive approach, posting a 16.1 percent walk rate and 22.6 percent strikeout rate. He has not been helped by an .086 BABIP mark.
The 24-year-old Vierling has not yet appeared in the Majors. He is, in fact, making the jump after just three games at Triple-A Lehigh Valley. He had not appeared above High-A before this season. Regardless, he ’s been on point so far this season, slashing a combined .354/.426/.616 in 115 plate appearances between Double-A and Triple-A.
Like Joyce, Knapp has had a tough go of it this season: -1.0 bWAR and a triple slash line of .174/.234/.221 that’s far from characteristic of what the Phillies have come to expect from their long-time backup catcher.
Marchan has had a taste of the bigs in five games of action this season. He should slide seamlessly into his role backing up J.T. Realmuto.
oh great, rushing Vierling. this is Haseley 2.0. shame Randolph is injured.
Why not Haseley? He’s been back.
I think Haseley has emotional issues..He apparently wasn’t able to cope with failure..He was practically handed the centerfield job and the weight of it just crushed him..Too bad too.
that’s just conspiracy theory at this point. i think Zo just threw that out there without any named sources.
24 years old and has mashed through 27 games in the high minors this year. Yes, he should be called up. They aren’t rushing him.
he’s only played three games in AAA.
@123redsox agreed, he’s a 5th rounder and not a top prospect so might as well see if he can ride a hot streak
There is no excuse for allowing Knapp to continue to play last night after the way he fell over following that foul tip to the face.
It’s pretty obvious that the concussion protocols are complete nonsense.
It’s so strange. Knapp went from being overly criticized 2 years ago to being undercritized this year despite a terrible year so far.
Knapp is still a below average defensive catcher who has one offensive skill – plate discipline and working BBs.
he looked much improved in 2020, the pitchers like him, and the few hits he provides are timely. after missing that pitch from Vince the other night though ive seen enough. that was top-tier embarrassing.
I watched the game last night too. Knapp was almost knocked cold by the foul tip. I can tell you from experience that sort of impact rings your bell. I was surprised as well when he wasn’t immediately removed from the game. There is no doubt just how tough a player Knapp is, and I certainly respect his desire to continue, but safety has to be the primary concern here. Head trauma is no minor concern.
I have two words, Tommy Joseph.
Reminds me of a phillies game earlier this month where the home plate ump took a ball off the mask and stayed in for a bit before leaving suddenly once effects worsened.
Is Moniak not healthy?
nah, he’s healthy
No matter what they do this is a 500 team or worse.Nothing they do is right and with the Bums in the front office they would not know talent if it slapped them in the face.This team needs a complete rebuild including the front office,scouts and minor league coaches.Time to move on from Harper,Realmuto,Nola lets rebuild and be bad for awhile.
Fire everybody!! Trade everybody!!! This will miraculously bring a WS championship lol
We know what we have a 500 team which we could do with just about anybody so FIre everybody,Trade everybody and yes we will be at least 500 or maybe we will actually win a WS with new people.You were most likely one of the idiots who thought they would win the division this year.Never happen with Harper,Nola,Hoskins
Funny the Nationals knew what they were doing when the let Harper walk,they won a WS the next year.