Injuries are starting to pile up a little especially in the Phillies bullpen. Jonathan Bowlan (right groin strain) went on the IL recently and now, right-hander Zach Pop (right calf strain) is also on the IL.
The Phillies signed Pop as a free agent in December as they again reworked their bullpen. After a rough spring training, Pop has settled in and has a 3.68 ERA over seven appearances with the Phillies. Pop made a surprise start last Sunday when Andrew Painter was suffering from a pre-game migraine. Painter did come in to the game in the third inning.
To replace Pop in the bullpen, the Phillies have recalled left-hander Kyle Backhus from Lehigh Valley. Backhus was optioned to the IronPigs after struggling through five relief appearances with a 7.71 ERA out with the Phillies. He made two relief appearances at Lehigh Valley and threw three shutout innings. As an IronPig, Backhus gave up two hits, didn’t walk a batter, and struck out five.
In his sixth season, Pop has made 169 relief appearances and his start for the Phillies was the first of his career. Pop has a 4.83 ERA and has pitched for Miami, Toronto, Seattle, and the New York Mets prior to joining the Phillies.
Coming into the season it was expected that the Phillies bullpen would be a strong point of their team. Through 18 games they have a 4.66 ERA.
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