The Philadelphia Phillies announced on Saturday that outfielder Brandon Marsh has been reinstated from the 10-day injured list and will rejoin the Phillies’ lineup ahead of their Saturday night matchup with the Arizona Diamondbacks. Cal Stevenson was optioned down to AAA Lehigh Valley to make room for Marsh.
The Return of Mr. Stay Loose and Sexy
Marsh, 27, went onto the IL following a hamstring injury in the Phillies’ game against the San Francisco Giants on April 16. Though it is hard to say about any injury, Marsh’s injury may have came at an opportune time for the outfielder as he had been hitless in his previous 31 at bats dating back to March 30.
With some forced time to rest and reflect, Marsh began his rehab stint with the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs on April 24, appearing in six games with the club. Over that stretch, Marsh went 6-for-20 with an OPS of .850. Marsh managed four walks in 25 plate appearances but also struck out eight times, consistent with his current 31.4% strikeout rate with the Phillies this season.
As the Diamondbacks present right-handed pitcher Brandon Pfaadt on the mound against the Phillies, Marsh will be set to make his return to lineup in a favorable left-right matchup. With a near two-week break and some better success at the plate with the Iron Pigs, the most important thing for Marsh in his return is to present good at bats. Ideally, he breaks his hitless streak on the night. If not, a good showing with some hard hit line-outs and well-fought at bats will be enough.
Is there a CF battle again for the Phillies?
When you hear anyone in the baseball circle talk about Wally Pipp, it is never in a good light. Wally Pipp was the starting first baseman for the New York Yankees exactly 100 years ago. On June 2, 1925, Pipp asked to be removed from the lineup due to a headache. So, Pipp rode the pine on the night as a young Lou Gehrig filled in at first base. Gehrig, who had three hits on the day, ended up earning the starting job from Pipp.
That appearance on June 2, in tandem with a pinch hit appearance the day prior, was the start in Gehrig’s biggest Major League accomplishment: his 2,130 consecutive game streak. That record stood for 60 years before Cal Ripken Jr. broke it in September 1998.
While not to that extent, Marsh nearly got himself “Wally Pipped” with this IL stint. Getting an extended chance as the starting center fielder, Johan Rojas has gone 14-for-44 at the plate in the past 15 games. Having scored eight runs out of the nine-spot, a position that the Phillies have desperately needed a modicum of a production from, the only complaint for Rojas has been his aggressive nature with decisions both in the field and on the base path.
Should Marsh show that he has not yet worked his way out of his 0-for-31 slump, Rojas just might be dubbed the starting center fielder.
Stevenson Sent Down
Outfielder Cal Stevenson is the odd man out following Marsh’s return. Stevenson most recently made a start in center field on Friday, going 1-for-2. The 28-year old is 2-for-8 on the season having made the occasional spot start or pinch hit appearance with the club.
The Phillies return to action Saturday evening for Game Two of their series with the Arizona Diamondbacks. First pitch is scheduled for 6:05 P.M.
Mandatory Credit: Reggie Hildred-Imagn Images
