The Phillies continued to make cuts on Tuesday morning by releasing right-handed pitcher Kevin Slowey, leaving the Phils with just four starters.
Slowey had been a candidate for a spot in the bullpen or potentially the fifth starter. This was turned on its head yesterday when he let six hits by, including two homers, and six runs in just two innings in the crushing defeat against the Pirates.
Whilst the Phillies don’t officially need a fifth starter until April 12th, it’s still a bad sign. The team are 0-5-1 in their last six and have been outscored 50-11 committing 9 errors. Whether this has been an act of establishing standards and dominance or no remains to be seen. By punishing poor play it may well motivate the team to put on a stronger performance in the coming days.
Sean O’Sullivan surely now becomes the candidate for the fifth job ahead of his Tuesday afternoon match against Toronto.
The waiver wire is also a possibility and the team have already made it clear that they’re looking to trade some deadwood as they look to find some depth in the pitching position.
