A couple of former Phillies find themselves in a roster spot crunch for a contender. Joe Blanton was designated for assignment by the Kansas City Royals after they acquired Johnny Cueto and needed the roster spot. Then, Blanton was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates. The move forces another former Phillie out of his roster spot.
Stephen Nesbitt of The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports:
Pirates have DFA'd Vance Worley to make room for Joe Blanton. Really tough blow for Worley, who was bumped out of the rotation this year.
— Stephen J. Nesbitt (@stephenjnesbitt) July 30, 2015
Worley was caught in Pittsburgh's depth.
Worley did not do a terrible job in 2015. All in all Worley is 4-5 with a 3.78 earned run average, over 20 games in the rotation and in the bullpen. In the Spring, Worley battled Jeff Locke for a rotation spot, which Locke would have won. But with an injury to Charlie Morton, Worley made eight starts but then lost his rotation spot as other Pirates starters got healthy.
Worley would be a candidate to be moved in a trade during the Pirates 10-day window to assign Worley. The Pirates are reportedly looking for a bench outfielder and had interest in Ben Revere. How about a swap?
