WASHINGTON – The Philadelphia Phillies announced a series of roster moves Sunday morning before the final game of their 10-game road trip against the Nationals.
Pitcher Aaron Nola has been reinstated from the 60-day injured list, and infielder Alec Bohm has been activated from the 10-day IL. In corresponding moves, infielder Otto Kemp and pitcher Daniel Robert were optioned to Triple-A Lehigh Valley. Robert was also reinstated from the 15-day injured list prior to being optioned. Additionally, outfielder Cal Stevenson was released.
The returns of Nola and Bohm were expected. Nola was scheduled to start Sunday’s game, his first appearance since May 14. Bohm was immediately placed in the cleanup spot in the lineup for his first MLB game since July 18. Both players had been sidelined with rib injuries and recently completed rehab assignments.
“I know he got off to a slow start this year, but he constantly got better as the season went on and his defense has been really, really good,” Phillies manager Rob Thomson said of Bohm. “He just lengthens our lineup out a bit more. We don’t have J.T. (Realmuto) in there today, but him and J.T. behind (Bryce Harper), that’s pretty good protection.”
Kemp, 25, was optioned to secure more regular playing time after a recent slump. Following a brilliant start in Triple-A that earned him his first major league call-up in June, he had gone 2-for-20 at the plate, lowering his season average to .228 with a .657 OPS for the Phillies.
“He just needs at-bats,” Thomson said. “He’s a big part of what we’re doing this year and in the future… he was getting kind of sporadic at-bats and he was scuffling a little bit. So he needs to get everyday at-bats.” Thomson added that by being optioned Sunday, Kemp is eligible to be recalled on September 1.
The latest on Wheeler
Manager Rob Thomson offered a limited update on pitcher Zack Wheeler, who is out indefinitely after being diagnosed with a blood clot in his right upper extremity. Thomson confirmed Wheeler was “heading back to Philly today and testing will start tomorrow.”
Looking ahead, Thomson left open the possibility of the Phillies utilizing a six-man rotation. He identified top prospect Andrew Painter as one potential call-up option, along with “someone else,” adding with a smile, “Whoever’s pitching good.”
