The trade that will send Phillies ace Cole Hamels and left-handed reliever Jake Diekman to the Texas Rangers for several prospects is not yet complete. Thus, Diekman finds himself in a very odd limbo. Diekman is a member of the Phillies 25-man active roster. Since there is a game, Diekman is still a member of the Phillies.
Meghan Montemurro of the Delaware News Journal tweets:
Jake Diekman is on the field and in uniform for the #Phillies. He is reportedly part of the Hamels trade to the Rangers.
— Meghan Montemurro (@M_Montemurro) July 30, 2015
This led some to worry that the trade with the Rangers was in doubht. However, Jerry Crasnick adds: there is nothing to worry about:
A source says final details in Hamels trade are taking some time to resolve. Nothing to be alarmed about. #phillies #rangers
— Jerry Crasnick (@jcrasnick) July 30, 2015
It would not be the first time today that an agreed-to-trade player was in uniform.
Michael Morse, who was in a three-team deal between the Miami Marlins, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Atlanta Braves, actually pinch-hit in today's Marlins-Nationals match up. The Phillies probably will not use Diekman unless they are in a situation where they have no choice. They may need to, as Aaron Harang skipped a rehab start to pitch tonight against the Braves.