Phillies Designate Player for Assignment After Roster News

Michael McLoone-Imagn Images

Phillies Designate Player for Assignment After Roster News

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Miracle Dimwesh | Last updated Jul 5, 2026 2:05 PM ET

The Philadelphia Phillies made a 40-man roster move Sunday, signing outfielder Bryan De La Cruz to a one-year major league contract before optioning him to Triple-A Lehigh Valley.

To create room on the 40-man roster, the club designated right-handed pitching prospect Jean Cabrera for assignment after announcing the transaction before the series finale against the Kansas City Royals.

The move keeps De La Cruz in the organization after he exercised the opt-out clause in his minor league contract. Philadelphia signed the 29-year-old outfielder to a minor league deal last November.

De La Cruz has yet to appear in the majors this season but has produced for Triple-A Lehigh Valley, batting .254 with a .344 on-base percentage, a .429 slugging percentage, 12 home runs and 51 RBIs in 75 games.

Following last night’s game against the Kansas City Royals, the Phillies signed outfielder Bryan De La Cruz to a major league contract and optioned him to triple-A Lehigh Valley. To make room on the 40-man roster, right-handed pitcher Jean Cabrera was designated for assignment.
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) July 5, 2026

The Dominican Republic native debuted with the Miami Marlins in 2021 and has also played for the Houston Astros, New York Yankees and Atlanta Braves. Across 491 career major league games, he owns a .251/.295/.402 slash line with 58 home runs.

The Phillies announced the move after Saturday night's 6-1 win over Kansas City, a result that improved the club to 50-39 and kept it in second place in the National League East.

Philadelphia Phillies interim manager Don Mattingly (8)Michael McLoone-Imagn Images

Cabrera, a 24-year-old right-hander signed by the Phillies as an international free agent in 2019, has not made his major league debut. He posted a 9.10 ERA across 15 starts between Double-A Reading and Triple-A Lehigh Valley this season before being designated for assignment.

With right fielder Adolis García out for the season and Gabriel Rincones struggling at the major league level, the Phillies preserved experienced outfield depth by keeping De La Cruz in the organization. The move also gives Philadelphia another veteran option if a big-league opening develops later this season.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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