The Phillies made a couple roster decisions this week involving their starting rotation. On the surface, the Phillies cut a couple struggling starting pitchers and recalled a couple that had their own struggles. But the Phillies really opened up two 40-man roster positions in these transactions, removing two players and leaving room for some incoming prospects.
Matt Breen of the Philadelphia Inquirer reported that prospect Jesse Biddle was heading to AAA:
Jesse Biddle will make his triple-A debut on Wednesday night as the former first-round pick was promoted on Tuesday to Lehigh Valley.
The lefthander was 7-2 with a 4.24 ERA in 15 starts this season at double-A Reading. Biddle, 23, has allowed 10 runs in his last 11 innings after starting June with a 1.90 ERA in his the month’s four starts.
So then, who is heading to the Phillies: David Buchanan or Aaron Nola? Breen had that too:
David Buchanan, who was limited on Tuesday to three innings with Lehigh Valley, will start for the Phillies on Saturday.
While Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. referred to the Phillies as being "close" to calling up prospect Aaron Nola, he will have more time at AAA Lehigh Valley. It may be until the Phillies trade ace Cole Hamels or rosters expand September 1 that Nola joins the Phillies. The Phillies might benefit from not adding Nola just yet, whose services they will probably wish to retain longer in the future.
Why call Nola up when the team is doomed to lose, when the team could retain control? That mindset could keep the Phillies from promoting Nola until May. Fans might be inclined to want Nola now, but that could be the better decision for the long-term future.
