The Phillies updated some of their uniform numbers this week. For the first time since 2011, someone other than Cliff Lee will wear a number 33 jersey. Plus, a former fan favorite returns to his familiar jersey number and new acquisition Jeremy Hellickson is assigned a number.
Here are a list of the jersey updates, as listed on the Phillies 40-man roster website:
- Outfielder Aaron Altherr gives up his reliever-like number 40 for the outfielder-like number 23, most recently worn by Ryne Sandberg.
- New reliever James Russell takes number 40, his familiar number with the Chicago Cubs
- Reliever Dan Otero will wear number 38, most recently worn by Chad Billingsley in 2014
- Pitcher Jeremy Hellickson will wear his familiar number 58, last worn by Jonathan Papelbon
- Pitcher Matt Harrison (if he ever pitches) will wear number 54, worn the last several years by former bullpen coach Rod Nichols
The coaching staff will be wearing some familiar numbers in 2016:
- Bullpen coach Rick Kranitz will wear number 33, formerly worn by Cliff Lee
- Catching coach John McLaren will wear number 9, formerly worn by Domonic Brown
- First base coach Mickey Morandini will put on his familiar number 12 in 2016
