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 slated to start one of the Phillies’ split-squad games today.
Stretching Strahm out is of particular note given the lefty’s previous work as a starter, his five-pitch repertoire, and his previously vocal stance about wanting to return to that role at some point in his career. As The Athletic’s Matt Gelb further writes, Strahm is open to any and all roles with the Phils this season.
Strahm’s career 3.11 ERA as a reliever trounces his shaky 5.08 mark as a starter, though that’s come in a sample of just 25 starts spread across four seasons. Whether he emerges as a legitimate rotation option for the Phillies at some point over the course of his current two-year, $15MM deal will likely depend greatly on the health of the team’s other options. With that in mind, it’s notable that the move to stretch Strahm out comes in conjunction with Andrew Painter’s month-long shutdown due to a UCL sprain and Ranger Suarez’s delay due to forearm tightness.
Thomson told reporters yesterday that Suarez is back on a throwing program and feeling good (Twitter link via Gelb), but he won’t be fully built up by the time the season gets underway. The Phils aren’t planning to place Suarez on the injured list to begin the season, however. As such, it seems likely his per-start workload would be capped for at least his first few turns through the rotation. Having Strahm stretched out to three or more innings would allow the Phillies to piggyback the two if they choose to go that route, and there’s obvious benefit in having Strahm stretched out in the event that the Philadelphia rotation sustains an injury of note.
For now, the likely plan in the event of another injury in the rotation would be to give 26-year-old southpaw Michael Plassmeyer a chance, Corey Seidman of NBC Sports Philadelphia writes. The 2018 fourth-rounder, acquired in the trade that sent catcher Austin Wynns to the Giants, made his MLB debut with the Phils last season (three runs in 7 1/3 innings) and posted a 2.41 ERA in 16 starts with their Triple-A affiliate following that swap. Plassmeyer has tossed seven scoreless frames this spring, though he’s issued six walks and punched out just four hitters in that time.
As it stands, the Phillies still project to have one of the NL’s stronger rotations. Each of Aaron Nola, Zack Wheeler, Taijuan Walker and Bailey Falter have been healthy this spring, and it seems the forearm tightness that sent Suarez home from the World Baseball Classic has proven to be minor in nature.
Beyond Strahm and Plassmeyer, top prospects Mick Abel and Griff McGarry will open the season in the upper minors, but both have limited innings above A-ball to this point in their young career (23 for Abel, 40 2/3 for McGarry). Lefty Cristopher Sanchez and righty Nick Nelson are both on the 40-man roster but were both shut down earlier this week due to triceps and hamstring injuries, respectively. The Phils did receive one positive injury update yesterday, as backup catcher Garrett Stubbs told Lauber and others that he’s dealing with only a minor knee sprain and expects to be ready for Opening Day.
Phillies need Ranger to be that solid #3 with Walker as the #4. These mounting injuries show some weakness in their SP depth.
I wonder if said weakness keeps McGarry in the bullpen for 2023?
He can be deployed as a multi inning guy and just concentrate on his best pitches? Phils have a couple of interesting arms on the 40 man as well…Vasquez, Marte.
Maybe even McArthur and/or Baker down the line? Another thing I am happy about is Thompson has shown some skill in using his bullpen, so shuffling a few guys in and out won’t confuse him, unlike the previous guy….
I think Mc Garry will get a chance to work on his control at aaa. He isn’t ready for the major leagues just yet. If he can cut down on the walks, he could be a candidate for either a starting, or bullpen role.
That issue might be solved with Abel and mcgarry getting some seasoning. They could get a waiver claim or two in the meantime
Man looks like the the early season bullpen usage will be monumental…….
A ton of shuffling rp’s looks to be the plan.
Nola and Wheeler will do what they do, but given last season, it makes no sense to tax them, Ranger will apparently be limited, Walker is mostly a 5ip guy…. To the fray Bailey Falter…..Plassmeyer…..
Is it just me getting any JA Happ vibes from Falter? A guy who gets little respect in Philly, but may have a fine career?
Little respect? Is that why Ritchie Allen still isn’t in the Hof?
No. Richie Allen isn’t in the Hall because he only hit 351 homers, didn’t even get 2,000 hits let alone 3,000, couldn’t field and was a cancer.
If you have such “respect” for him, why are you writing a name he hated to be called?
Early in April, the bullpen will be very active. After the starters get stretched out ( around their third start), you would like to get 6 innings or more out of your starters. Getting length out of your starters ( if they are good), gives you a better chance of winning games, and keeps the key relievers fresher over a long season.
Seems like Falter will at least get more of an opportunity with the Phillies than Happ did. Happ got only one (reasonably) full season in the Phillies rotation and ran with it to a 12-4 mark with a sub-3.00 ERA and led the league in shutouts (2) in 2009. If Falter can follow in Happ’s footsteps he’ll do alright for himself
Kudos for digging out those stats. I actually bought a Happ shirt back in the day because I thought he was so under appreciated.
IMO, Phillies project at 81-81 finish in 2023. Last year’s World Series was a fluke…
Willing to bet on that? I’m not predicting a WS or anything, but definitely above 81 barring another drastic injury.
I will bet on DD destroying your farm system and blowing up their budget. Lol
JC#1 So far, the Phillies farm system has drastically improved under DD. It’s often fun to stick to one narrative, but sometimes it’s not always true. What was true for Boston may not be true for Philadelphia. And keep in mind, the owner often dictates what he wants the GM to do. DD was told to strengthen the farm. He traded 1 prospect during his tenure for a guy who is 1 year removed from being a prospect himself. That guy became the Phillies everyday CF. So, so far, the farm system is looking decentish compared to years passed.