3:10pm: The Phillies announced that Ramos has indeed been activated from the disabled list for tonight’s game. Fellow catcher Andrew Knapp was optioned to Triple-A in a corresponding move.
11:58am: The Phillies are expected to activate recently acquired backstop Wilson Ramos in advance of the team’s game today, per Matt Breen of the Philadelphia Inquirer (via Twitter). Ramos has been on a rehab assignment at the High-A level.
When they got Ramos from the Rays two weeks ago, the Phils were banking on his ability to recover from a hamstring injury — his latest of many lower leg problems over the years. The fact that he’s already prepared to appear in the majors seems to represent the best-case scenario for the Philadelphia organization.
Following an injury-shortened 2017 campaign, Ramos restored his status as one of the game’s best-hitting catchers over the first several months of the current season. In 315 trips to the plate, he carries a robust .297/.346/.488 batting line with 14 long balls. Still, his mid-season market value was harmed quite a bit by the injury news, opening the door for the Phillies to get him at a discount by taking on the balance of his $10.5MM salary.
The news comes at an opportune moment for the Phillies, who have slipped into a two-game deficit in the division. As Breen notes, the club has struggled to put runs on the board of late, so adding Ramos promises to help. Of course, he’ll also be getting back up to full MLB speed while learning a new pitching staff on the fly, so there will be some challenges as well.
matt4baseball
Congrats Phillies and Ramos, The bull will be the best catcher you’ve had! he was for us Rays fans! best pitch framer, Best hitter and in the clutch., Great teamate.
lowtalker1
I don’t know Ruiz was pretty good
geg42
Appreciate the enthusiasm. But that seems like a slight to Lieberthal.
DannyQ3913
Dutch fool
steven st croix
Houston should have got this guy instead of Maldanado
Knowthemarket
I wish they would have too. I’m a Braves fan and hate to see the Phillies ad another quality guy to their daily roster. The Braves have been fortunate that Cabrera has had such a cold start with the Phillies.
its_happening
Philly needs Ramos to be Ramos. Potential for a big boost for that team.
ron robsock
Ramos will be a big upgrade in lineup. Maybe he can teach Alfaro how to catch
Robert Marino
Now Knapp can go to sleep
ericm25
so who gets sent to aaa
u can’t possibly have 3 catchers on the 35 man roster, could you?
bradthebluefish
Red Sox have three catchers on their roster. Leon, Swihart, and Vazquez.
geg42
Do any of those guys DH or play another position? Or are the bosox just big believers in fresh knees?
Sirsleepit
Is swihart really a catcher though 😉
bradthebluefish
Maybe fresh knees, but more so that the Red Sox aren’t interested in trading away any of their catchers.
Leon and Vazquez are purely catchers. Swihart plays catcher 1/3 of the time, otherwise he’s playing OF and sometimes 1B, 2B, and 3B.
tonyinmunhall
Is there plans of him being the starting catcher?
bucketbrew35
He will split duties worth Alfaro.
frank_costanza
They said the same thing about Cabrera and Kingery…
Player development is important and all. But they’re in a pennant race in a weak league. Development goes out the window. He instantly has the highest average on the team with 14 hr and 14 doubles. He’s the starting catcher.
bradthebluefish
I love Wilson Ramos, but being a catcher is all about building repertoire with the pitcher. He will need time to transition into the primary catcher of the Phillies.
lippy10195
Great debut tonight
ericm25
Ramos put on a show tonight. the rest of the lineup followed. what a difference a player or 2 can change a lineup. that play that bour made that had to be reviewed I think that Santana would not have made. he did goofed on a play to 2b. but all in all he did well. Ramos stole the show tonight though..
85Phanatic
I agree, don’t think Santana holds the bag on that one. Hopefully the Ramos spark carries over. Huge night.