Phillies Place Caleb Kilian on IL, Recall Chase Shugart: Why Alex McFarlane Deserves the Call

If the Philadelphia Phillies want to make the playoffs and make a deep playoff run, something is going to have to change.

The team made a few tweaks at the Major League Baseball trade deadline, adding second baseman Luis Arraez and a pair of bullpen arms, Caleb Kilian and Brooks Raley.

Caleb Kilian Heads to 15-Day IL with Oblique Strain

Chase Shugart Recalled from AAA Lehigh Valley

The Phillies are recalling Chase Shugart from triple-A Lehigh Valley to replace him on the 26-man roster. Shugart has gone 2-1 with a 4.93 ERA (21 ER, 38.1 IP) and 45 strikeouts to 16 walks in 33 relief appearances over two stints with the Phillies this season.

Why Alex McFarlane is the Solution the Phillies Bullpen Needs

One has to wonder why the team hasn't allowed right-hander Alex McFarlane to show if he can help the big league club at this point. McFarlane has been dominant at two levels this season, both Double-A and Triple-A, where he has a 1.83 ERA and a 1.119 WHIP with 55 strikeouts in 39.1 innings in 36 games

The Phillies already know Shugart isn't the answer, but maybe McFarlane is, and they owe it to the rest of the team to find out if he can help their exhausted bullpen.