When the Phillies designated for assignment left-handed reliever Brett Oberholtzer, who was subsequently lost to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, the Phillies were left without a single left-handed pitcher on their entire roster. Elvis Araujo returned after Zach Eflin hit the 15-day disabled list, but the Phillies are most certainly still short. To hopefully help with their sinister problem, the Phillies claimed left-handed pitcher Patrick Schuster from the Oakland Athletics.
Schuster was optioned to Triple-A Lehigh Valley after being claimed. Schuster appeared in five games for the Athletics in 2016, pitching in six and two-thirds innings, allowing eight earned runs. Though Schuster has the 10.80 earned run average in the big leagues, he pitched to a 1.16 earned run average in 32 outings for Triple-A Nashville. Schuster was 1-0 for the sounds.
The move means that the Phillies are adding another name to their 40-man roster, which now stands full. Before adding another player, the Phillies will have to subtract a player, which could mean that they wait for names such as Nick Williams and J.P. Crawford.
Pitcher Adam Morgan is likely to start for the Phillies Sunday, but he is already on the 40-man roster.
