The Phillies announced they have activated shortstop Didi Gregorius from the restricted list. To create active and 40-man roster space, Philadelphia returned outfielder Jorge Bonifacio to Triple-A Lehigh Valley. Additionally, the Phils activated outfielder Travis Jankowski from the paternity list and optioned infielder Nick Maton to Lehigh Valley.
Gregorius had been away from the team for a few days in his native Curacao to attend the birth of his child. He was originally placed on the paternity list but required more than the three days allotted for paternity leave, so he was briefly transferred to the restricted list. That opened up a 40-man roster spot for the selection of reliever Ramón Rosso, and Gregorius’ return pushes Bonifacio off the roster.
It has been a tough season for Gregorius, who is hitting just .221/.274/.393 over 307 plate appearances. That’s the left-handed hitter’s worst production since his 2014 season with the Diamondbacks, and a far cry from his .284/.339/.488 mark last year. That strong first season in Philadelphia earned him a two-year free agent deal to return last offseason. His getting back on track at the plate will be crucial to the Phils’ hopes of erasing a two-game deficit in the NL East or grabbing the NL’s final Wild Card spot.
Bonifacio was selected last week as a COVID-19 replacement, stepping in when three players (Zach Eflin, Andrew Knapp and Luke Williams) tested positive for the virus. Healthy and safety protocols allow those players to be taken off the roster without being exposed to waivers. The 28-year-old has gone 1-11 with a walk and six strikeouts in seven games this season.
tstats
Glad didi is ok
MetsFan22
Marking their push for 3rd place!
Audrey
At least our players don’t hate us.
DarkSide830
dang, Marlins about to pass us or something?
Bill Kane
You referring to the Mets?
VonPurpleHayes
Mets are good against the Marlins and Nats. But they still have to play the Yankees, Cardinals, Red Sox and Brewers. Not to mention the Braves and Phillies. Just don’t see the Mets making a run, especially when they’ve not done well against winning teams all year. Phillies just won 6 in a row before losing tonight. Mets just won 5 in a row. Hopefully we get an exciting race. I don’t want the Braves running away.
applesauce435
I can’t believe Didi is still on this team. He is like the elephant in the room. The Philly broadcasters never remark on his at bats. The silence is deafening.
Bob333
Tom McCarthy is such a HOMER everything he says anyway is propaganda to make the Phils look good no respect for that Hammer