While heading into Spring Training, Cody Asche had no clear role. Would he be an outfielder or an infielder? Would he have the opportunity to start with the likes of Aaron Altherr on the roster? The Phillies were unable to answer these questions in Spring Training as Asche strained his oblique early in Spring Training and later aggravated it more to the point he has spent the entire season on the disabled list.
The Phillies finally activated Asche Thursday afternoon. To make room on the 25-man roster for Asche, the Phillies designated for assignment outfielder David Lough. Lough hit .239 for the Phillies, seeing time in left field and right field. Lough is out of options and will have to pass through waivers for the Phillies to keep him in the system.
The open 40-man spot opened up by Lough's departure went to reliever Mario Hollands. Hollands was activated from the 60-day disabled list and was immediately optioned to AAA Lehigh Valley. Hollands will get some more work there before being considered for the Phillies bullpen.
Asche is a career .246 hitter, with 27 home runs and 108 runs batted in. Asche has seen 984 at bats with the Phillies since being promoted to the Major Leagues in 2013. Asche lost his third base starting job to Maikel Franco in 2015, at which time the Phillies converted Asche to the outfield. Asche returned to third base late in 2015 when Franco went onto the disabled list to finish out the season.
Asche spent the last 20 days rehabbing with Class A Clearwater, AA Reading, and AAA Lehigh Valley. Asche exclusively played outfield during his rehab assignment and likely will in Philadelphia. In 59 rehab at bats, Asche hit just .169 with four home runs and eight runs batted in. In his most recent stop, Lehigh Valley, Asche batted .200.
