On March 30, Phillies starter Sean O'Sullivan, in camp on a minor league contract, was sent to minor league camp, seemingly ending his candidacy for the Phillies' fifth starter position. Then, the Phillies had O'Sullivan pitch in a major league game. Now, O'Sullivan is going to be helping the Phillies big league club after all.
According to many reports, including Stephen Gross of the Allentown Morning Call, O'Sullivan is the guy:
Sean O'Sullivan officially named Sunday's starter for #Phillies against Max Scherzer and Nationals
— Stephen Gross (@SteveGrossMCall) April 9, 2015
O'Sullivan's stay may be short, however.
Chad Billingsley will begin his minor league rehab on Friday, Jim Salisbury of CSN Philly reports. Salisbury says that Billingsley "lines up to join Phillies rotation later this month if all goes well." That will give O'Sullivan one or two starts to impress the Phillies and stick around. The Phillies will have to option a pitcher to AAA Lehigh Valley to make the move. Luis Garcia seems like the one easy to option to the minors, but watch Ken Giles; if Giles continues to struggle he may get some AAA time.
Domonic Brown is also on the mend. The Phillies tweeted this afternoon that Brown is ready to begin a rehab assignment tonight in Clearwater. Brown's disabled list stay is retroactive to March 27, so he is eligible to come off the disabled list Sunday, should the Phillies wish to activate him. Another player will have to go to make room for Brown.
