Phillies Sign Veteran Outfielder to Minor League Deal

Pham's contract includes a July 25 opt-out. He will presumably exercise this opt-out if he is not promoted to the majors in the next month.

But the Phillies are in need of outfield help after losing right fielder Adolis Garcia to season-ending surgery to repair a torn right latissimus dorsi. Left fielder Brandon Marsh has had an All-Star caliber season and center fielder Derek Hill has hit .357 with a .964 OPS in 12 games since being acquired from the Chicago White Sox on June 11. However, rookies' Justin Crawford and Gabriel Rincones Jr. have struggled offensively.

If Pham can get his timing down at the plate, he should be able to help the Phillies' big-league club this season.

Pham, 38, began the season with the NL East rival New York Mets after signing a minor league deal with them on Opening Day. After missing all of spring training due to being unsigned, Pham struggled immensely with the Mets.

In nine games with the Mets, Pham went 0-for-13 with seven strikeouts. He was designated for assignment on April 27. He elected free agency after clearing waivers two days later.

Pham then signed a minor league deal with the Baltimore Orioles on May 16. He slashed .197/.286/.410 with four home runs and 11 RBI in 16 games in Triple-A, but didn't make it to the major leagues with Baltimore. Pham exercised his opt-out clause on June 11 and was granted his release.

He has now signed on with the Phillies two weeks later. Philadelphia will be the 12th MLB organization that Pham has spent time with in his 13-year big-league career.

The Phillies enter play on Saturday with a 46-36 record and leading the top NL Wild Card spot by two games. Philadelphia started the season 9-19, but has seen a remarkable turnaround under interim manager Don Mattingly after the organization fired skipper Rob Thomson in April.