The Phillies announced that outfielder Brandon Marsh has been reinstated from the 10-day injured list, with utilityman Weston Wilson heading to Triple-A in the corresponding move. Marsh was placed on the IL on June 3 due to a right hamstring strain, so he’ll return to action after just slightly beyond the 10-day minimum.
While the NL-leading Phillies haven’t slowed down in Marsh’s absence, getting the outfielder back is obviously good news for a team that has taken a few injury hits. Trea Turner has missed over six weeks recovering from a more serious hamstring strain, but the star shortstop is reportedly close to returning as well, and could be activated from the IL within the next two or three days. Catcher J.T. Realmuto will miss the next month due to knee surgery, and utilityman Kody Clemens has also been sidelined for the last two weeks with back spasms.
Marsh was hitting .265/.344/.426 over 186 plate appearances at the time of his IL placement, pretty much matching the solid numbers he has posted since arriving in Philadelphia as part of a deadline trade with the Angels in 2022. While the Phillies have tried to limit his exposure to left-handed pitching, Marsh has gotten the lion’s share of playing time as the regular center fielder in 2022 and 2023, and as the regular left fielder this season. Where Marsh plays now that he is back on the active roster could be an interesting situation to observe, as the Phils could opt to give him more time in center field, thus making Whit Merrifield and David Dahl the regular left field platoon.
Scott Lauber of the Philadelphia Inquirer noted that Marsh played in center field during his brief Triple-A rehab stint, and though Phillies manager Rob Thomson said that usage was more about giving Marsh more leeway to test his hamstring, it isn’t hard to see why Marsh might be the Phils’ preferred choice over Johan Rojas in center. Rojas has hit poorly this season, and the stellar glovework that earned him the center field job in the first place has also regressed. He has a -10.8 UZR/150 over 473 1/3 innings in center field this season, and while the Outs Above Average (+2) and Defensive Runs Saved (+1) metrics still have a positive view of his defense, even those numbers are well below his totals from 2023.
A broader decision on the center field job probably doesn’t have to be made until Turner is ready to be activated, and Lauber feels Philadelphia could then option Rojas to Triple-A or designate Cristian Pache for assignment. Pache is out of minor league options and thus would have to be DFA’ed first if the Phils wanted to send him to the minors, so to avoid losing Pache on a waiver claim, the Phillies could instead simply option Rojas to Triple-A to see if his bat can catch fire in the minors.
Sosa has also cooled off, hitting.222 over last 15 days with.596 ops and even worse the last 7 days. What will trea’s return mean for him if he stays ice cold?
It will mean the same thing either way. Bench.
I still don’t get the AMAZING amount of Sosa love?
When he got expanded playing time last year he was exposed. I get the Phils don’t have a ton of MLB ready prospects, but Sosa for his career proflies as a very good stop gap player at 3 inf positions. But he’s being heralded as a starter?
Oh well, now get off my lawn……I guess?
He’s a great 5th infielder to have. True SS with above average glove at all 3 INF positions – think he made 1 error since taking over at SS for Turner. He’s a good team player, helps with communication when guys like Ranger & Seranthony are on the mound. I compare him to our modern day Mariano Duncan, with a better glove and arm. Guy skip can insert just about anywhere when needed.
His work at 3rd is subpar and 2nd is average, but yes @ss very good. Totally agree he is a top tier inf bench piece, but still a bench piece.
My confusion is those who say he is a quality mlb starter?
As Sosa hits another finger. Haha.
I agree in principal, but Sosa’s a very good piece.
Dinger, not finger! Principle, not principal! Haha. My bad.
VPH, totally agree. But the group who want to move TT to LF/CF to accommodate Sosa just make me cringe…..
I just think Rojas’ lack of offense has been frustrating. It’s pretty clear to me that the Phillies will be going with someone else in CF for the playoffs.
Pin this comment by you……
Rojas will contunue to off and on patrol cf until the playoffs. The Phils will then mix and match situations based on the other squads SP. I can live with that, but those that say he needs aaa time to improve? His ’24 best usage is the teams CF…….
Good, now let’s get Turner back and J.T. then we can get back on our roll were on a few weeks back
It looks to me that Pache has turned back into a pumpkin this season (.206 BA), so I wouldn’t be too concerned about someone claiming him on waivers.
The Phillies fans seem to fall in love with backup players. Sosa was the darling of the fans and some wanted turner to play left field when he returns then Sosa showed why he is a bench player.
Sosa’s been fine. Even last night he manufactured a run. Of course he’s a bench player, but the Phillies lost 3 starters to injury. The bench came up huge.
Pache is the leader in the clubhouse as the guy to get the DFA when Trea is activated. Dahl has much more upside as a hitter and they are built to win.
Pache makes for a better defensive CF than almost anyone on the team. Dahl is a better hitter, but he has made several defensive blunders. Dahl is the one to go.
Although Rojas had a few hiccups on D this year, to my eyes he is still potentially an incredibly elite defender – great instincts and tools but just needs to slow the game down a bit..
It was either option Rojas, or designate Pache as they were kinda’ redundant…DD took the path of least resistance and hopefully Rojas continues to grow at the plate.
I don’t think that Pache is more than a 5th OF type but maybe he surprises us and his own bat starts to perform a bit better with some semi-regular time out there..
Exactly. I think Rojas has a futurem but the Phillies need cannot wait for his bat in a year where they’re going for it all. So since Pache has no options left, I think sending down Rojas was the right move.
Missing 3 starters from the lineup was taking it’s toll. Getting Marsh back is huge.
Marsh’s rehab stint was at Double A.
greasy hair is back
….downvote…
It has been established, ad nauseum, that he wets his lettuce almost every inning. Don’t like the look myself as a fellow long hair, but hey he makes more money than I AND has a cooler profession…..
Here’s to a 2-4 night and a W.
Not saying Pache has been very good, but I think they should option Rojas in lieu of exposing Pache to waivers. Rojas is the weak link on this team. He can’t hit LHP for some reason, and his speed makes up for average at best fly ball tracking abilities in CF. David Dahl has earned an extended look in LF vs. RHP. Whit can play vs. LHP and Sosa will get his AB’s at 2B & SS as they work Turner back to 100%.
Justin Crawford is the future CF here.
I agree with Pache over Rojas. Rojas is on a little hitting streak lately, but they’re mostly flukey infield hits. His bat stinks.
“option Rojas to Triple-A to see if his bat can catch fire in the minors”
For the first time ever. Rojas can’t hit.
Slade Caldwell or Kellon Lindsey in the 1st round next month for the Phillies.
Anyone think the Phil’s could trade for the White Sox Robert?
Could have sworn I saw a tweet by a baseball reporter saying the Phillies had been in contact with the White Sox regarding Robert. That said, I’m sure DD has been in contact with every team whose season is already done.
Yup they did reach out, but the prospect haul would be crippling.
I don’t normally post on here because they come up as duplicates. Help please