Prior to the start of their series against the Milwaukee Brewers, the Philadelphia Phillies announced on Tuesday that Scott Kingery and Matt Vierling have been brought up from Lehigh Valley. In corresponding moves, Johan Camargo was placed on the 10-day injured list with a right knee strain while Zack Wheeler was placed on the paternity list.
Kingery has not performed well since returning from his most recent injury in Lehigh Valley, hitting a measly .185 batting average at Triple-A. The former top prospect has not found much success in Philadelphia either, having most recently gone 1-for-19 with the club in 2021. Perhaps a new manager is all Kingery needs as well.
Kingery’s return comes at a time where the Phillies need additional infield bodies. Within one week, the Phillies lost Jean Segura and Johan Camargo due to injuries. Kingery will join Sunday’s hero Bryson Stott and the recently return Didi Gregorius as the Phillies’ three middle infielders on the roster.
Wheeler, meanwhile, goes on paternity leave as he and his wife Dominique are expecting their second-born child. Wheeler, who is scheduled to start the Phillies’ series opener against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday, could possibly miss his start depending on the length of his leave of absence.
It is unlikely that Wheeler misses the start, however, as Vierling is the one to have taken his roster spot. It appears the Phillies mainly want an extra bat available off the bench as well as another asset in the outfield for the next few days. If Wheeler was likely to miss his start, the Phillies would have almost certainly brought up either Bailey Falter or Jose Alvarado.
Regardless, the Phillies have two additional bats to utilize as they face the hot Brewers over the next few days. The Phillies, also on a hot streak, will look to continue theirs against another potential playoff team.
Photo by Cody Glenn/Icon Sportswire
