Phillies Send Darick Hall to Triple-A, Shuffle Rotation

Phillies designated hitter and first baseman Darick Hall took the mound on Sunday and threw an inning against the New York Mets in game one of a doubleheader.   Hall got the final out from the Phillies pitching staff.  But thanks to an injury to Kyle Schwarber, this was a rare appearance for Hall.  Given the circumstances, Hall is being optioned to Triple-A.

Matt Gelb of The Athletic was first to report the move.

The move makes sense, since the Phillies are not using Schwarber in the field, thanks to a mild calf strain.  The designated hitter position is open until Bryce Harper returns, so Schwarber might stay there the next few days to heal, leaving few opportunities for Hall.   Hall can play first base at Triple-A daily and keep his bat going.

The move also allows the Phillies to add a position player.  Both Yairo Muñoz and Johan Camargo are on the 40-man roster and could help the Phillies in the field.  Infielders Edmundo Sosa and Nick Maton have made appearances in the outfield of late, as has catcher Garrett Stubbs.

The Phillies also announced another move.  In his postgame press conference, interim manager Rob Thomson announced that Cristopher Sanchez will start on Wednesday to give the starting staff a rest.   Sanchez has appeared in 10 games for the Phillies, going 1-1 with a 3.80 earned run average. Two of his appearances were starts.

Pitcher Noah Syndergaard had been on a six-day rotation in Los Angeles, and there is no off day for the Phillies until September 1.

Relievers Tyler Cyr and Michael Pressmeyer have been recalled by the Phillies in recent days.  Presumably, that roster spot will go to Sanchez.  The Phillies could then option Sanchez and add someone such as Mark Appel the following day.

When rosters expand on September 1 the Phillies (and other teams) will have two extra roster spots.  That will give them room for an extra pitcher and an extra bat.