Phillies Bring In Outside Additions for Stretch Run

Phillies Add Walker Buehler, Tim Mayza for Stretch Run

To make room for Mayza, the team announced that Zack Wheeler has been moved to the 60-day injured list. Buehler and Mayza are both eligible to be on the Phillies roster for the postseason. With roster expansion on September 1, expect additional moves to be made. A 40-man roster spot will need to be opened for Buehler. Previously, Buehler was released by the Boston Red Sox.

This season, Buehler has a 7-7 record with a 5.45 ERA in 23 outings, along with a 5.88 FIP, a 1.53 K/BB rate, and a 1.558 WHIP. Opposing batters have a .270 average and a .290 BABIP against Buehler this season. One concern for him this season has been home runs. He has a 1.76 HR/9 allowed rate and a 18.6% HR/FB allowed rate. Furthermore, Buehler has a career worst 9.7% barrel allowed rate. One reason the Phillies are taking a flyer on Buehler is because of his extensive postseason experience. In his career, he has 19 postseason outings, including 18 starts, and is a two-time World Series champion. Buehler has a career 3.04 ERA and a 1.151 WHIP in the postseason.

Immediate Implications for the Pitching Staff

At least one of Buehler and Mayza will presumably join the Phillies on Monday when rosters expand to 28. If both join the roster immediately, someone will need to be sent down. Lou Trivino, who was called up when Jordan Romano went on the injured list, cannot be optioned to the minor leagues. Daniel Robert is the most likely candidate to be optioned if the Phillies elect to add Buehler and Mayza to the active roster on September 1. Adding Buehler also gives the Phillies the option to move Taijuan Walker back to the bullpen if they so choose. Walker was supposed to be in the bullpen for the long run, but injuries and poor performances from other players changed that plan. This would be the ideal route to go for the time being, at least.

Potential Postseason Roster Effects

The Phillies brought back David Robertson in part due to José Alvarado being ineligible to pitch in the postseason. Mayza was also added because of that, as he could serve as the third left-handed relief pitcher in the postseason bullpen. With Wheeler out for the season, Ranger Suárez and Jesús Luzardo will probably end up in the rotation. Adding Mayza allows for Suárez and Luzardo to focus on starting postseason games. Mayza has six postseason outings in his career, resulting in a 2.08 ERA and a 1.385 WHIP. The Phillies now have a deeper bullpen for the postseason than they have had in previous seasons. This also means Walker could realistically be left off of the postseason roster in early rounds where teams carry 12 pitchers.