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  • Phillies Notes: Strahm, Suarez, Plassmeyer

    The Phillies are stretching lefty Matt Strahm out to handle a multi-inning relief option, tweets Scott Lauber of the Philadelphia Inquirer. Manager Rob Thomson said this week that the organization’s goal is for Strahm to be built up to the point that he can handle three-inning stints by the end of camp, Lauber notes. He’s…

    Mar 17 · MLB Trade Rumors Phillies Michael Plassmeyer Matt Strahm Ranger Suarez closers
  • Matt Strahm To Be Multi-Inning Reliever

    Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher Matt Strahm is expected to have a multi-inning role to begin the season. The left-hander signed a two-year, $15 million deal with the Phillies over the offseason. It sounds like the team is going their value out of Strahm by making him a multiple inning option. Manager Rob Thompson mentioned he wants Strahm to be built up to three innings by the end of spring training. There won't be a ton of fantasy value here considering Strahm probably won't be starting or closing in Philly. There could be spot starts mixed in, but that would likely be the only time that Strahm is only to have fantasy value in Philly.

    Mar 16 · Source via Phillies Matt Strahm closers
  • Zack Wheeler Having Tough Spring

    Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Zack Wheeler started his spring off in great fashion but has had two rough outings since. In his first outing of the spring, Wheeler hurled two perfect innings, striking out two. He threw 15 strikes over 19 pitches. His next start was a disastrous one, however, as he gave up seven runs in 1 1/3 innings. On Friday, he gave up three runs in three innings, and his ERA now sits at 14.21 this spring. After three seasons with an ERA under 3.00 while being ranked in one of the top tiers of starting pitchers, there's nothing to worry about with Wheeler at the moment.

    Mar 15 · Source via Phillies Zack Wheeler
  • Phillies Dealing With Injuries To Pitching And Catching Depth

    The Phillies announced a batch of injuries to reporters, including Matt Gelb of The Athletic (Twitter links). Left-hander Cristopher Sánchez and right-hander Nick Nelson have both been shut down, due to triceps soreness and a moderate hamstring injury, respectively. Catcher Garrett Stubbs is headed for an MRI on his sore right knee while fellow backstop…

    Mar 15 · MLB Trade Rumors Phillies Bailey Falter Aramis Garcia John Hicks Rafael Marchan James McArthur Nick Nelson Aaron Nola Andrew Painter Michael Plassmeyer J.T. Realmuto Cristopher Sanchez Garrett Stubbs Ranger Suarez Taijuan Walker Zack Wheeler prospects
  • Nick Nelson Shut Down With Hamstring Injury

    Philadelphia Phillies relieverNick Nelson(hamstring) was diagnosed with a moderate left hamstring strain, which forced the Phils to shut him down. There is no timetable for Nelson's return, but he will likely miss the start of the season.Cristopher Sanchezwas also shut down after coming across bicep soreness. The Phillies lost four relievers over the offseason and are already short on bullpen staff with these two setbacks. They addedGregory Soto,Matt Strahm, andCraig Kimbrel to counter the bullpen losses. Nelson molded a 4.85 ERA last season across 47 appearances. The 27-year-old struck out 69 batters, along with a 22.5% strikeout rate. He needs to slim down his walk rate, which accumulated to 11.8%. Nelson is off the fantasy radar in most league formats in 2023.

    Mar 15 · Source via Phillies Nick Nelson
  • Ranger Suarez Throwing On Tuesday

    Philadelphia Phillies left-hander Ranger Suarez (forearm) did some light throwing on flat ground on Tuesday at spring camp. Suarez has been dealing with tightness in his left forearm, which caused him to drop out of the World Baseball Classic, but the injury isn't considered to be very serious. The 27-year-old southpaw could still be ready in time for Opening Day, but it's unknown when he might get back into a Grapefruit League game. He'll likely need to throw a few bullpen sessions before that happens. Suarez doesn't overpower hitters and wasn't as good last year as he was during his 2021 breakout, but he has a secure rotation spot and is great at keeping the ball out of the air.

    Mar 14 · Source via Phillies Ranger Suarez
  • Trea Turner Homers, Plates Two In World Baseball Classic Win

    Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Trea Turner played his part offensively for Team USA in Monday's 12-1 World Baseball Classic win over Team Canada. Turner went 1-for-4 with a solo home run and two RBI. The 29-year-old signed an 11-year, $300 million deal this off-season after slashing .298/.343/.466 with 21 HR, 100 RBI, and 27 stolen bases with the Dodgers. Turner's combination of average, power, and speed make him one of fantasy's top overall picks, and he should continue to find success in a strong Phillies' lineup.

    Mar 14 · Source via Phillies Trea Turner
  • Noah Song Shut Down With Back Tightness

    Philadelphia Phillies right-hander Noah Song (back) has been shut down due to tightness in his back, according to the team. Song had an MRI exam and will be re-evaluated next week. It's now unlikely he'll be ready for the start of the 2023 regular season. The 25-year-old was away from baseball the last two years while in the Navy, but the Phillies took him in the Rule 5 draft back in December. Fantasy managers shouldn't really have any expectations for him if he sticks on the team's roster all year. In seven starts for Low-A in the Boston Red Sox's organization in 2019, he had a sharp 1.06 ERA, 0.88 WHIP, five walks and 19 strikeouts in 17 innings, and the Phillies clearly like his long-term potential as a starter.

    Mar 11 · Source via Phillies Noah Song
  • Ranger Suarez Dealing With Forearm Tightness

    Philadelphia Phillies left-hander Ranger Suarez (forearm) said he felt some left forearm tightness in his outing against the Houston Astros while pitching for Team Venezuela on Wednesday, and he will rest for a few days. Suarez said he's not worried but wanted to get it checked out. There's a good chance the 27-year-old southpaw will need to pull out of the World Baseball Classic, but he could still be ready for Opening Day, barring a setback. In 29 starts in 2022, Suarez went 10-7 with a 3.65 ERA (3.87 FIP), 1.33 WHIP and 19.5 percent strikeout rate in a career-high 155 1/3 innings pitched in his fifth year with the Phillies. Unsurprisingly, he fell back to Earth after a 2021 breakout, but his ground-ball tendencies make him a strong mixed-league streamer.

    Mar 10 · Source via Phillies Ranger Suarez
  • Bryce Harper Hits Off Tee

    Philadelphia Phillies outfielder/designated hitter Bryce Harper (elbow) hit off a tee in camp on Thursday, according to manager Rob Thomson. Harper will hit off a tee every other day for now as he progresses in his rehab from Tommy John surgery. The expectation is that Harper will be able to join the Phillies as their full-time designated hitter right around the All-Star break in 2023, but he might not be able to return to right field until 2024. The 30-year-old former National League MVP did plenty of damage at the plate last year while playing through his right elbow injury before having surgery in the offseason, so fantasy managers will be crossing their fingers that he can pick up where he left off when he makes his 2023 season debut this summer.

    Mar 10 · Source via Phillies Bryce Harper
  • Andrew Painter Suffers Tear In UCL

    Philadelphia Phillies top pitching prospect Andrew Painter (elbow) has been diagnosed with a tear in his UCL. For now, Painter will sit out for a month and then begin a light throwing program to see if he can pitch through it. Arguably the best pitching prospect in the game, Painter dominated in 2022 with a 6-2 record to go along with a pristine 1.56 ERA and 155 strikeouts over 103 2/3 innings in 22 starts between High-A and Double-A. Painter, 19, entered spring training with an outside chance to compete for a rotation spot, but that thought has quickly disappeared. There should be more updates on Painter's status when he continues to throw, but the Phillies would be wise to limit their prized arm this season with the potential of Tommy John surgery down the line. For now, fantasy managers in dynasty leagues should continue to hold the young talent, but managers in redraft leagues can look elsewhere in the prospect department.

    Mar 10 · Source via Phillies Andrew Painter prospects
  • Bryce Harper Progresses To Hitting Off Tee

    Phillies star Bryce Harper hit from a tee today, tweets Alex Coffey of the Philadelphia Inquirer. He’s expected to take swings every other day in the near future as he continues rehabbing from November’s Tommy John surgery. It marked Harper’s first swings since going under the knife. Manager Rob Thomson told reporters the club isn’t ruling…

    Mar 9 · MLB Trade Rumors Phillies Bryce Harper
  • Bryce Harper Unsure If He'll Play Outfield In 2023

    Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Bryce Harper (elbow) said he misses playing right field but has no idea if he'll be able to play in the outfield in 2023 after undergoing Tommy John surgery. He'll know more about his timeline for a return after he has a physical on Thursday. Harper is just now reporting to spring training with the team after having elbow reconstruction surgery last November. The 30-year-old former National League MVP is expected to return as the team's full-time designated hitter right around the All-Star break, but there's no guarantee that he'll be playing on defense in 2023. If he doesn't play the field at all, he'll lose his outfield eligibility in fantasy, which is something to think about for 2024.

    Mar 9 · Source via Phillies Bryce Harper
  • Latest On Phillies' Rotation Competition

    The Phillies entered camp with much of the season-opening roster in place. The biggest storyline was the battle for the final rotation spot. The Phils have consistently maintained top pitching prospect Andrew Painter would be given a legitimate chance to claim the job even though he won’t turn 20 until next month. Those plans were seemingly…

    Mar 8 · MLB Trade Rumors Phillies Bailey Falter Nick Nelson Andrew Painter Cristopher Sanchez prospects
  • Andrew Painter Could Avoid Surgery; Bailey Falter Rising

    The Philadelphia Phillies offered no new information on Wednesday on the severity of top pitching prospect Andrew Painter's tender right elbow, but multiple sources said that nobody has been told that he needs surgery. Another source said that "time is what is needed" for Painter to recover. With Painter ailing, left-hander Bailey Falter has a clear path to being the No. 5 starter for the Phillies to open the 2023 season. The Phillies want to be certain with their diagnosis on the No. 6 overall prospect in baseball. The 19-year-old came to camp with a chance to be the first teenager to pitch for the team since 1980. But that's unlikely to happen now, as Painter turns 20 on April 10. Painter has a shot to be really good, but fantasy managers in mixed leagues may need to pump the brakes on him this year. Nick Nelson is another candidate to make the rotation if Painter isn't ready by Opening Day.

    Mar 8 · Source via Phillies Bailey Falter Andrew Painter prospects
  • Gregory Soto Reports To Camp Wednesday

    Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher Gregory Soto reported to major-league spring training camp on Wednesday. Soto has been late getting to spring training this year due to visa issues, but he should still have time to get himself ready for Opening Day as he gets set to begin his first year in Philadelphia. The 28-year-old left-hander had a career-high 30 saves for the Detroit Tigers last year. However, he also saw a dip in his strikeout percentage while continuing to be wild with a 12.9 percent walk rate. His move to an extremely crowded back end of the Phillies bullpen makes him very volatile for fantasy purposes given his wildness and likely huge drop in save opportunities.

    Mar 8 · Source via Phillies Gregory Soto closers
  • Bailey Falter In Line For Fifth Rotation Spot

    Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Bailey Falter currently seems to have the best shot at the team's fifth rotation spot with Andrew Painter (elbow) dealing with a tender throwing elbow, per MLB.com's Todd Zolecki. The 25-year-old had a solid 2022 season serving mostly as a starter, going 6-4 in 20 appearances (16 starts) with a 3.86 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, and 21.2% strikeout rate. While he doesn't offer a ton of upside in any facet, he could be a worthwhile streamer in favorable matchups behind a strong lineup if he does earn the rotation spot.

    Mar 7 · Source via Phillies Bailey Falter
  • Andrew Painter Unlikely To Make Opening Day Roster

    The Philadelphia Phillies did not provide any update on starting pitcher prospect Andrew Painter's (elbow) sore right elbow Monday. The 19-year-old felt some tenderness and went for tests last Friday. While the No. 6 overall prospect did have a shot to make the Opening Day roster, it now seems highly unlikely that that will come to fruition. While the Phillies will want to be cautious with Painter, the good news is there does not seem to be serious concern about his long-term health. Painter may become a fantasy factor in re-draft leagues at some point this season, but it sounds like Bailey Falter is now in line to fill in the fifth starting spot.

    Mar 7 · Source via Phillies Andrew Painter prospects
  • Edmundo Sosa Fine After Being Hit By Pitch

    Philadelphia Phillies infielder Edmundo Sosa (forearm) said he's OK after being hit by a pitch on his right forearm in the Grapefruit League game on Monday against the Baltimore Orioles. He's just dealing with a little tightness after leaving the game early as a precaution. The Phillies figure to use the 27-year-old as a utility player in 2023, and he's also been getting some repetitions in the outfield in camp. In 78 games with the Phillies and St. Louis Cardinals in 2022, he hit .227/.275/.369 with a .644 OPS, two home runs, 21 RBI, 26 runs scored and a career-high six stolen bases in 190 plate appearances. Unless the Phillies are hit with injuries, Sosa figures to serve in a bench role yet again.

    Mar 6 · Source via Phillies Edmundo Sosa
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