Phillies option Tyler Phillips to triple A; Ranger Suárez throws simulated game

The Phillies called up Tyler Gilbert, 30, who they plan to use in a multi-inning relief role. Gilbert has a 2.06 ERA and seven saves across 35 innings with the IronPigs.

Following a rough stretch of starts, Phillies pitcher Tyler Phillips was sent down to triple-A Lehigh Valley on Saturday.Read moreElizabeth Robertson / Staff Photographer

by Lochlahn March

Published Aug. 17, 2024, 5:23 p.m. ET

The Phillies optioned right-hander Tyler Phillips to triple-A Lehigh Valley and called up left-hander Tyler Gilbert from the IronPigs, the team announced Saturday.

Phillips, a Bishop Eustace grad, made seven appearances and six starts for the Phillies after being called up on July 5. After pitching a shutout against the Cleveland Guardians on July 27, Phillips posted a 13.91 ERA and 2.27 WHIP in his next three starts.

“The fatigue was one of the things with Tyler [Phillips],” manager Rob Thomson said. “I think his stuff was just trending down a little bit. I think it’s due to fatigue. It’s nothing that he’s done wrong. I think that you know, we have that complete game and pitching on regular rest, which he’s not used to, and his innings are going up.

“I think it’s just [to] give him a little bit of a reset here, and pull back on him.”

The Phillies intend to use Gilbert, 30, in a multi-inning relief role. He has been stretched out to three innings and has a 2.06 ERA across 35 innings with the IronPigs. Gilbert has seven saves in seven opportunities this season.

He recovered from a rough start to the year with the Cincinnati Reds’ triple-A affiliate in Louisville, Ky., where he had a 13.11 ERA in seven appearances, three of them starts. He was traded to the Phillies in exchange for cash on May 7.

“Strikeout-to-walk ratio is really good,” Thomson said. “Top out at 94 [mph]; he’s usually a 91-92 guy with command, and they’ve improved his slider.”

The Phillies drafted Gilbert out of Southern Cal in 2015, but he ended up making his debut with the Arizona Diamondbacks after a stop in the Dodgers’ minor league system. He threw a no-hitter against the Padres in his first major-league start on Aug. 14, 2021.

Phillips must remain in the minors for at least 10 days but could be called up earlier in the event of an injury. Thomson said a six-man rotation once Ranger Suárez returns from the injured list remains a consideration, but he is concerned about how that would tax the bullpen.

To make room for Gilbert on the 40-man roster, right-hander Spencer Turnbull was transferred to the 60-day injured list. Turnbull recently suffered a setback in his rehab for a strain in the back of his right shoulder, but Thomson said he “is feeling a lot better” and will resume his throwing program in Clearwater, Fla.

Suárez, Austin Hays updates

Suárez threw a simulated game Saturday at Citizens Bank Park as the next step in his rehab from lower-back soreness. He threw 57 pitches over four innings and threw an additional 20 pitches in the bullpen.

“He got his pitch count up,” Thomson said. “Ninety-one [mph] was the velocity, which was really good for a sim game. The stuff was really good, and it got better as the game went on. ... We’ll see how he comes out of it in the next day or two.”

Outfielder Austin Hays (hamstring strain) took a few at-bats against Suárez and hit a home run in the first inning.

“He ran out of the box, ran well, did some first-to-thirds,” Thomson said of Hays.

Thomson said Hays might need a rehab assignment. It’s possible Suárez and Hays could be ready to return during the series at Kansas City that starts Friday.