From Spark Plug to Question Mark: Phillies Weigh Sosa Surge, Romano Woes

The continued solid play of Edmundo Sosa has the fans yearning to see more of him.

The super utility man has played all over the infield and even logged some time in center field this season.  However, it's his bat that has people excited about the slick fielding Sosa.  Sosa collected two more hits on Sunday, raising his season average to a scorching .550, and giving manager Rob Thomson more to think about.

Sosa’s Scorching Start Gives Phillies a Lineup Dilemma

Thomson was asked after the game if there was a way Sosa could get more time, to which the Phillies skipper agreed, "We need to really look at this," he stated.

"So far it's real," Thomson said about Sosa's start to the season.  Two hits every game.  He's played great at third, he's played great at short.  He did well in center field."

Sosa, who is a career .258 hitter with a .316 on-base percentage in seven big league seasons, has five multi-hit games this year and 11 hits and six RBI in six games to open the season.

One way Sosa could get more time is in the outfield, where he played on Saturday, making two putouts after replacing Brandon Marsh in the eighth.

"We really got to get into the lab and try to figure out some stuff, get him in the lineup," Thomson stated.

Thomson was asked if he was considering starting Sosa in center field against a left-handed pitcher which he simply said, "I am."

Jordan Romano's Early Season Struggles Continue

Free agent addition Jordan Romano was brought into the game in the seventh inning on Sunday and struggled again.  Romano, who was a two-time All-Star in Toronto, has struggled so far with the Phillies after signing a one-year, $8.5 million contract.

Limited to just 13 2/3 innings last year in with Torono due to an elbow issue, Romano struggled with a 6.59 ERA and 1.46 WHIP.  This season, he has not looked comfortable in any of his five appearances.

On Sunday, he gave up two hits, walked one, leading to three runs before being pulled. Friday night against the Dodgers, he gave up a two-run homer in the ninth inning to almost cough up the Phillies' lead.

"I don't know what's going on right now," Romano stated at his locker after the game. "I need to figure it out for sure."

Romano acknowledged that he needs to work on his velocity, and when is velocity is down, it helps his slider.

Thomson said after the game that they need to check into his velocity, but there were no red flags as far as injuries go, but it might be a dead arm issue. "It concerns me a little bit, the velocity is down," Thomson admitted.

Thomson stated that Romano's long track record of success means they will stay with him.  From 2021-2023, Romano saved 95 games for the Blue Jays with a 2.37 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, striking out 230 hitters over 186 innings.

When asked if he might appear in some lower-leverage situations, Thomson said, "We'll see".

Whats Next for the Phillies?

The first -place Phillies (7-2) have an off day on Monday and will head to atlanta to face a struggling, last-place Braves (1-8) team, opening a three game series in Atlanta at Truist Park.

Here is a look at the projected pitching matchups for the series.