The Phillies recalled a flame-throwing right-hander on Monday to add a new arm to the bullpen. Alex McFarlane, 25, was recalled for a day back in April, but was never going to be an option out of the bullpen at that point. He was a warm body who was already on the 40-man roster, meaning that the Phillies didn’t need to make any additional moves to add him to the 26-man roster.
McFarlane has been the Phillies co-Pitcher of the Month for May and has also been part of a combined no-hitter thrown by three pitchers at Jersey Shore earlier in the year.
Monday’s recall will be longer, but there is no definite indication that he will be with the club long-term. The Phillies are definitely looking to fix a bullpen that has been short on success this season, especially lately. To make room for McFarlane, the Phillies optioned Alan Rangel, who was the losing pitcher on Sunday against the Mets, back to Triple-A Lehigh Valley. With an off-day on Thursday following the Dodgers series, the Phillies can skip the fifth starter’s spot in the rotation which has been a black hole this season with 10 straight losses coming from the number five spot.
McFarlane has been dominating the Double-A Eastern League this season. In 32 games with Reading this season, McFarlane has thrown 35 innings in relief with 18 walks and 47 strikeouts. He has a 1.17 WHIP and opponents are batting just .187 against him. McFarlane is from St. Thomas, Virgin Islands and was the fourth round pick of the Phillies in the 2022 Draft. He has not pitched above Double-A.
RELATED: McFarlane was the Phillies co-Pitcher of the Month in May
The Phillies are in the hunt for a left-handed reliever with Tanner Banks (0-4, 7.14) first struggling and now being on the 15-day IL with a left forearm strain. Jose Alvarado (3-3, 6.43) has also struggled this season, but has pitched three straight scoreless innings and allowed just one hit, no walks, and has picked up four strikeouts in the three innings of work.
If the Phillies can find a lefty in a trade, then McFarlane would likely be the player optioned out. They also will need a fifth starter next week against Miami, which would prompt another move unless they were to go with a bullpen game.
If McFarlane were to be given some opportunities out of the bullpen and pitch well, he could grab a spot currently occupied by Seth Johnson (1-0, 6.14) or Max Lazar (0-0, 5.63). Both Johnson and Lazar are right-handers and have not found success at the major league level in their careers.
The Phillies will be searching for relief help prior to the trade deadline and will also look to add a starting pitcher to the rotation, if possible. The Phillies have been searching for a right-handed bat to bring off the bench since spring training and have been unable to find one. That pursuit has become almost a second thought to beefing up the bullpen and rotation.
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