Phillies Claim Ezequiel Carrera Off Waivers

Ender Inciarte had a cool story.

He was, if you remember, the guy who showed up to the first day of Phillies camp at 5:00 a.m. – considerably punctual by first by major league baseball standards, then by major league baseball spring training standards – and nervously poked around the clubhouse before being stopped by manager Charlie Manuel, who of course didn’t recognize him by face or name.

We won’t be getting to know him any better.

Inciarte was designated for assignment on Tuesday, the team has announced. A trade with the Diamondbacks was reportedly sought by the Phillies, but couldn’t be reached. The move essentially sends back Inciarte, a 2013 Rule 5 pick-up, to the Diamondbacks.

In conjunction with that move was the Phillies claiming Ezequiel Carrera off waivers.

Carrera should be considered a mild upgrade of essentially the same player, seeing as Carrera has 116 games and parts of two big-league seasons (Inciarte had none, hence his Rule 5 eligibility), has played all three outfield positions during his time with the Indians (Inciarte had experience in left, right and center also, but never higher than Single-A), and some pop, something the Phillies don’t have much of on the bench from the left side beyond Laynce Nix.

Last season, Carrera slugged .395 in 158 PAs with Cleveland. Inciarte’s career slugging percentage in five years of sub-Double-A minor league ball is just .367.

Though Carrera was on waivers for a reason, still a roster move worth making for the Phillies.

Even if it ends the Ender’s time here.