Phillies Add Outfielder Bradley Zimmer as Brandon Marsh Hits Injured List

For the Phillies, it has been a case of deja vu  but at a different position.  During June the Phillies lost three second basemen in succession.  In August, outfielders have been their Achilles heel.  After losing Kyle Schwarber and then Brandon Marsh to injury, the Phillies had to make a move, and they had to bring someone in from outside the organization to make that happen.

The Phillies announced that they claimed outfielder Bradley Zimmer on waivers from the Toronto Blue Jays.  Zimmer had been designated for assignment by the Blue Jays.  The Phillies made two corresponding moves to add Zimmer.

First, Marsh was placed on the 10-day Injured List.  Marsh injured himself on Wednesday in Cincinnati trying to rob a home run ball hit over the fence.  After an MRI, the official diagnosis is a left ankle sprain for Marsh.  It is currently not clear how much time Marsh will need to heal.

To make room on the 40-man roster, Bryce Harper was placed on the 60-day injured list.  This does not change much for Harper, who has already been out the 60-days.  It allows an extra 40-man roster spot at the moment.  The Phillies can then find more room on the 40-man roster after Harper returns.

One way they could make another spot is a technique they have employed twice already.  The Phillies could promote Simon Muzziotti and then immediately place him on the 60-day injured list.  They would have to pay him a major league salary, but it would clear a space.

Muzziotti was not a stopgap solution now because he is also injured and out for the season.

Zimmer is a left-handed center fielder.  He is batting just .105 on the season in 76 at bats.  Zimmer's primary tools are his defense and his speed.  So while the Phillies are down Schwarber (who will likely return this weekend as a designated hitter) and down Marsh, Zimmer can play center field.

The Phillies played infielder Nick Maton and catcher Garrett Stubbs in left field in recent days.  It made more sense to let the two players heal appropriately than to keep them in the outfield.