After Win Over Marlins Severino Gonzalez Optioned Back to Triple-A

The Phillies optioned pitcher Severino Gonzalez to Triple-A Lehigh Valley after he pitched well enough to earn his first win in his second big league start on Sunday, earning a victory over the Marlins.

The Phillies will make a corresponding move to replace him on the 25-man roster, most likely will recalling Chad Billingsley to join the rotation this week though.

Billingsley, 30, went 1-1 with a 4.74 ERA in four rehab starts for Triple-A Lehigh Valley. Tuesday will be his first start in the majors since undergoing Tommy John surgery in April 2013.

The right-handed Gonzalez, a 22-year old, limited the Marlins to two runs over five innings, picking up his first career major league win on Sunday. At Triple-A Lehigh this season he has a 3.57 ERA with nine strikeouts over his first 17 2/3 innings and will continue to function as organizational depth.

Philadelphia now has a pair of veteran arms that are candidates to be traded in Aaron Harang and Billingsley. If both of them pitch well enough before the trade deadline, the Phillies could add some more depth to their depleted minor league system.

Add in Cole Hamels, Jonathan Paplebon and possibly Chase Utley, if the Phillies play this right they can add a lot of depth to the organization.

According to one MLB official, the Phillies are “waiting with open arms” to  find a trade partner for any of the three players mentioned above.