Phillies continue to make changes to 40-man roster, release Michael Plassmeyer

The Phillies returned home on Tuesday with a 38-34 record, a six-game winning streak, and a slightly different 40-man roster.

On Monday, first baseman Darick Hall (right thumb sprain) was recalled from his rehab assignment at triple-A Lehigh Valley and optioned back there. Outfielder Dalton Guthrie was designated for assignment to make room for Hall on the roster.

On Tuesday, catcher Rafael Marchan (right hamate fracture) was recalled from his rehab assignment, and, like Hall, was optioned to Lehigh Valley. To make room for Marchan, left-hander Michael Plassmeyer was released.

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The Plassmeyer move wasn’t as surprising as the Guthrie one. The 26-year-old pitcher, who made his big league debut last season, has struggled this year in the minor leagues. Plassmeyer had a 3.68 ERA in 7⅓ innings for the Phillies last season, but his ERA at Lehigh Valley jumped from 2.41 in 82 innings in 2022 to 6.95 in 44 innings this season.

His walk rate also increased from 7.0% in Lehigh Valley in 2022 to 10.3% in 2023, the second-highest mark of his career. Plassmeyer’s fastball averaged 89.2 mph in his brief stint with the Phillies in 2022. He found success at the big league level with his command, so without that, it was hard to see him earning another call up.

Plassmeyer was placed on the seven-day minor league injured list on May 31 with an undisclosed injury.

Guthrie was shuffled between triple A and the big leagues but provided good corner outfield defense. He was good enough to earn a spot on last year’s National League Divisional Series roster. But he struggled at the plate this season, hitting .167/.286/.208 with seven strikeouts in 24 at-bats.

“In our estimation he was just kind of the last guy on the 40-man,” manager Rob Thomson said of Guthrie. “And it’s a shame because he’s a good player, and a good guy, and a good teammate. Our players love him.”

A natural candidate to provide more outfield depth would be Jake Cave, but the Phillies don’t have a need for more left-handed bats. Nevertheless, Cave has caught Thomson’s attention. Since he was optioned to Lehigh Valley on May 2, Cave has hit .391/.466/.762 with 11 home runs in 151 at-bats.

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“I don’t have to keep tabs,” Thomson said. “People keep reminding me. Cave is really doing well. He’s swinging the bat — he’s a good option for us.

“It is [hard to keep him down there]. And you feel for the player, too, because in my mind, he deserves a shot. But we don’t have — we have a lot of left-handed bats here. We’d be super left-handed if he was on the roster.”

Reliever Seranthony Domínguez, who was placed on the 15-day injured list Saturday (retroactive to Friday) with a left oblique strain, will likely be back by the 15-day mark on July 1, or shortly after. …Top prospect Andrew Painter (sprained UCL in his right elbow) threw a 30-pitch bullpen session on Tuesday that went “great,” according to Thomson. ... Rule 5 right-hander Noah Song (low back strain) will throw in back-to-back simulation games at the end of this week. He’ll probably go on a rehab assignment next week. …Left-hander Cristopher Sánchez will start Friday against the Mets.

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