Phillies transactions make a strong statement on young catching prospect Rafael Marchan
The Phillies made a flurry of roster moves before Monday night’s game against the Washington Nationals.
The additions: Reliever David Phelps, reliever Ranger Suarez, outfielder/DH Jay Bruce. Phelps was acquired in a trade from Milwaukee. Suarez and Bruce were activated from the injured list.
The subtractions: Infielder/outfielder Scott Kingery, catcher Deivy Grullon, reliever Reggie McClain. Kingery was placed on the IL with back spasms. Grullon and McClain were both designated for assignment to clear room on the 40-man roster. The Phils would like to keep both players, if they clear waivers. The Phils needed to clear two spots on the 40-man roster, one for Phelps, who is expected to join the team Tuesday, and one for Suarez, who had been on the COVID IL. Players on that list don’t count against the 40-man roster.
Kingery’s trip to the IL comes just three days after he clubbed a game-winning three-run homer against Atlanta. It was the high point of what so far has been a difficult season for Kingery, who battled COVID-19 in June and played through nagging back and shoulder issues over the first month of the season. The Phils are hoping he can be back when his 10-day IL stint is complete.
The Phillies’ willingness to risk losing Grullon – who combined for 42 homers and 136 RBIs at Double A and Triple A the last two seasons – is an indication that he has been passed by Rafael Marchan on the organization’s catching depth chart. Marchan, 21, impressed manager Joe Girardi with his defense during spring and summer camp.
J.T. Realmuto and Andrew Knapp are the only two catchers on the 40-man roster. Marchan would likely be the guy to come up from the satellite camp in Lehigh Valley if the Phils needed a catcher. The Phils were able to get him through the Rule 5 draft last winter but that won’t happen this winter as he’ll end up on the 40-man roster before then, if not sooner.
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