According to Matt Gelb of The Athletic, the Phillies are placing pitcher José Alvarado on the 15-day injured list, meaning his season is probably over. This is to make room on the 28-man roster for new pitcher Walker Buehler to be added. Alvarado has a left forearm strain, according to the team, and Matt Manning has been designated for assignment to clear a 40-man roster spot. Buehler signed with the Phillies on August 31. Additionally, Buehler is eligible to be on the Phillies’ postseason roster as an injury replacement. This season, Buehler has a 7-7 record with a 5.45 ERA in 23 games. To add to that, Buehler has a 5.90 FIP along with a 1.53 K/BB rate and a 1.56 WHIP this year.
Alvarado is ineligible to pitch in the postseason, and because of how many games are left will probably not pitch again. However, it is possible that Alvarado returns when first eligible for the final games of the regular season. The injured list placement is retroactive to September 11, meaning Alvarado would be eligible to come back on September 26. That would mean Alvarado could pitch in the last three regular-season games. This season, Alvarado has a 4-2 record with a 3.81 ERA and seven saves in 28 appearances. Alvarado has a 3.60 FIP along with a 4.57 K/BB rate and a 1.31 WHIP this year. Outside of the shortened 2020 season, this is set to be the fewest innings, 26, that Alvarado has pitched in a major league season during his career.
Phillies Pitcher Probably Done For The Season
Pitching Staff Effects
The bullpen will now have three left-handed pitchers instead of four with Alvarado on the injured list. Tim Mayza joined the team on August 31 and is now the third left-handed relief pitcher on the depth chart. Tanner Banks and Matt Strahm held down things from the left side during the summer while Alvarado served his suspension. The bullpen will have eight pitchers in it, with the Phillies utilizing a six-man rotation. Banks in particular has been a bright spot in the Phillies bullpen this season. The Phillies now have less bullpen flexibility than others, given that teams can carry 14 pitchers on their September roster. It is the same amount of flexibility that the team would have in other months of the season before rosters expand on September 1.
Rotation Adjustments
For the time being, the Phillies will go to a six-man rotation with the arrival of Buehler. This will give each of the Phillies’ other starting pitchers extra rest between outings. Furthermore, this will come in handy with the team closing in on clinching a postseason appearance. Buehler will have a chance to compete for a postseason roster spot. Given that the team signed him on August 31, the last day a player can join an organization and be postseason roster eligible, it is reasonable to believe Buehler will be on the postseason roster. This will also give Buehler a chance to earn a spot in the Phillies’ postseason starting rotation. There is still a spot or two to be decided on that front before the start of the postseason.
Main Photo Credits: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
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