The Phillies bullpen was supposed to be one of the strengths of the inexperienced 2015 Phillies team. Instead, it has been a major weakness. The Phillies traded veteran Antonio Bastardo to the Pirates in the offseason because they had lefties Mario Hollands and Jake Diekman. Hollands had Tommy John surgery and Diekman has disappointed to the point that the Phillies have decided to send him to the minors.
The Phillies did not say yet who will replace Diekman. Cesar Jimenez will likely be a good bet since the only other left handed pitcher in the bullpen is rookie Elvis Araujo. Jimenez is 1-3 with a 2.88 at AAA Lehigh Valley.
Diekman was 0-1 with a 6.75 earned run average in 2015. Although Diekman pitched one and one-thirds scoreless innings Thursday night, the Phillies still felt the need for a change. Diekman ranks sixth in the majors in inherited runners scored.
