Phillies Discussion (7/20/2026)

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Here’s a new Phillies Discussion.

The Phillies’ recent schedule pitted them against 4 of the 8 worst teams in the MLB – Detroit (.465), Kansas City (.400), Cincinnati (.459), and the Mets (.420).  They went an unsatisfying 6-6 against those teams.

The Phillies came out of the break and started Nola, Luzardo, and Rangel.  I guess they are saving Wheeler and Sanchez for the Dodgers series.  I think they would have been better off starting them against the teams the Phillies have an actual chance of beating.  Of course, one run is not likely to win you many games.

Important Dates

  • July 12-13, 2026: MLB First-Year Player Draft, Philadelphia PA (Phillies drop 10 slots)
  • July 28, 2026, 5:00 p.m. ET: Deadline to sign 2026 draft picks
    • Deadline applies to players drafted out of 4-year colleges and HS
  • August 3, 2026: MLB trade deadline at 6:00 P.M. ET
  • August 13, 2026: Field of Dreams Game, Thursday game from Phillies at Twins series
  • December 1, 2026 (11:59 p.m. ET): MLB Collective Bargaining Agreement expires.

Note: These dates will be used unless/until notified differently.  (Note that there are many more dates to add from Spring Training through the end of the 2026 season and calendar year.  I will add when I have accurate dates for them.)

Transactions

July 2026
07/19/2026 – Reading activated RHP Gage Wood
07/19/2026 – Clearwater activated OF TJayy Walton from the 7-day IL
07/18/2026 – Lehigh Valley placed RHP Jackson Rutledge on the temporarily inactive list
07/18/2026 – FCL Phillies released SS Jose Familia
07/17/2026 – Phillies signed FA CF Wuilfredo Antunez to an MiLB contract
07/17/2026 – Lehigh Valley activated RHP Brian Keller from the Development List
07/17/2026 – Reading activated RHP Wen-Hui Pan
07/17/2026 – C Guillermo Rosario assigned to Jersey Shore from Clearwater
07/17/2026 – CF Wuilfredo Antunez assigned to Jersey Shore
07/17/2026 – RHP Giussepe Velasquez assigned to Clearwater from Jersey Shore
07/16/2026 – Phillies placed RHP Brad Keller on the 15-day IL retroactive to 7/13, right elbow UCL tear
07/16/2026 – Phillies recalled RHP Seth Johnson from Lehigh Valley
07/16/2026 – C Lou Albrecht assigned to Lehigh Valley from Jersey Shore
07/16/2026 – RHP Enmanuel Leon assigned to DSL Phillies
07/14/2026 – Reading placed RHP Gabriel Barbosa on the 7-day IL
07/14/2026 – Phillies signed free agent RHP Enmanuel Leon to an MiLB contract
07/13/2026 – Jersey Shore activated LHP Juan Amarante from the 7-day IL
07/13/2026 – C Cesar Mujica assigned to FCL Phillies from Clearwater
07/11/2026 – Phillies sent RHP Jean Cabrera outright to Reading
07/10/2026 – FCL Phillies released LHP Raymon Rosario
07/10/2026 – Lehigh Valley released LF Dylan Carlson.
07/10/2026 – Lehigh Valley activated 3B Carter Kieboom from the 7-day IL
07/10/2026 – Reading placed RHP Wen-Hui Pan on the temporarily inactive list
07/09/2026 – Phillies placed LHP Tanner Banks on the 15-day IL, left forearm strain
07/09/2026 – Phillies recalled RHP Chase Shugart from Lehigh Valley
07/09/2026 – Reading activated RHP Luke Russo from the Development List
07/09/2026 – Reading placed RHP Gage Wood on the temporarily inactive list
07/09/2026 – FCL Phillies activated SS Jonathan Alcantara from the 7-day IL
07/08/2026 – Lehigh Valley transferred RHP Brian Keller to the Development List
07/08/2026 – Phillies activated RHP Brad Keller from the 15-day IL
07/08/2026 – Phillies placed RHP Lou Trivino III on the 15-day IL retroactive to 7/7, right thoracic muscle spasm
07/08/2026 – Phillies optioned RHP Seth Johnson to Lehigh Valley
07/08/2026 – Phillies recalled RHP Alan Rangel from Lehigh Valley
07/08/2026 – Lehigh Valley activated RHP Grant Holman from the 7-day IL
07/08/2026 – Lehigh Valley activated RHP Jackson Rutledge from the 7-day IL
07/07/2026 – Phillies optioned LHP Kyle Backhus to Lehigh Valley
07/07/2026 – Phillies recalled RHP Max Lazar from Lehigh Valley
07/07/2026 – Lehigh Valley activated SS Liover Peguero from the 7-day IL
07/07/2026 – Jersey Shore sent LHP Juan Amarante on a rehab assignment to Clearwater
07/07/2026 – C Cesar Mujica assigned to Clearwater from FCL Phillies
07/07/2026 – C Guillermo Rosario assigned to Clearwater from FCL Phillies
07/07/2026 – C Gabriel Azocar assigned to FCL Phillies from Clearwater
07/07/2026 – C Gabriel Flores assigned to FCL Phillies from Jersey Shore
07/06/2026 – Phillies signed FA RHP Hua Ho to an MiLB contract
07/06/2026 – RHP Evan Gates assigned to Reading from Lehigh Valley
07/06/2026 – C Lou Albrecht assigned to Jersey Shore from Lehigh Valley
07/05/2026 – Phillies designated RHP Jean Cabrera for assignment
07/05/2026 – Phillies signed FA OF Bryan De La Cruz
07/05/2026 – Phillies optioned OF Bryan De La Cruz to Lehigh Valley
07/05/2026 – Lehigh Valley released C René Pinto
07/05/2026 – C Gabriel Azocar assigned to Clearwater from FCL Phillies
07/04/2026 – Phillies traded RHP Ryan Degges to Cleveland for cash
07/04/2026 – Phillies recalled LHP Tanner Banks from Lehigh Valley
07/04/2026 – Phillies signed FA C Payton Henry to an MiLB contract
07/04/2026 – C Payton Henry assigned to Lehigh Valley
07/04/2026 – Lehigh Valley activated RHP Andrew Bechtold from the 7-day IL
07/04/2026 – Lehigh Valley released OF Bryan De La Cruz
07/04/2026 – Lehigh Valley placed 3B Carter Kieboom on the 7-day IL retroactive to 7/2
07/04/2026 – Reading activated LHP Adam Seminaris from the 7-day IL

78 thoughts on “Phillies Discussion (7/20/2026)”

    2. They have a tough schedule, which may bring some tension to the final stretch. I like it for keeping them playoff ready, vs the team that is sitting, resting. Will see what the deadline brings in the meantime

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  3. Guys. Great comments on your connections to the Delaware Valley. I know the kids are having a great time. They sent me lots of pictures. I was amazed they were able to be on the field. Pacho, Lazar, and Duran all gave my grandson an autograph on his baseball. I sent several pics to Ruff and Romus. Today they get to see the Dodgers though it will not be Ohtani on the mound. Then back to Hoosierville.

    The last 2 games kind of show you the difference between baseball and other sports. Basically, the same players. 6-1 games. As the saying goes and I am sure Rocco has heard it, you are only as good as the next day starting pitcher. Both of these games showed that.

    It is really difficult to win if you are down so many runs so early in a game. 5th starter and at least 1 solid BP guy I think is a must. Afraid the bats are what they are going to be. Feast or famine as Ben says.

    Jim. I agree on Turner. For me and this goes back to his Nats days. He is always moving so his timing has to be perfect. Plus, maybe my tv is skewed but it seems the Phillies take so many pitches right down the middle and then swing at ones 6 inches or ones nowhere near the plate. Announcers always talk about guys picking up the spin of the ball. Phillies leave some room for concern in this area. Again, maybe it is my tv. I do not think you are going to see much difference on the hitting front.

    The 3 starting aces and Duran plus hopefully at least one and maybe 2 more BP guys will take them as far as they go. I was thinking overnight if the Phillies only win 1 of 3 games it will be 76 wins. Not good enough. If they win 31 of the 62 left it is 86. Will that be good enough? Cubs look solid now. Pirates, Marlins and maybe Dbacks and Nats are lurking. How many wins will it take.? Best shot may be to catch the Braves.

    Rocco. You should find the kids and buy them lunch. They went to Chickie’s and Pete on Saturday. They have to be staying close to the stadium. They were there like at 10:30 yesterday. I am sure they will get there early again if they are allowed to do so. Look for a little guy with his Green Phillies hat.

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    1. Right?

      Im speculating but my comment was before Keller’s injury. He was potential trade bait before, but the FO im o removed him the prospect capital for now. See how he does before the deadline. If he holds his own, he stays. If not, he goes back into the prospect capital at a lower value. It’ll be interesting. I. f this team survived Gregory Soto’s near 10%+ walk rate, i think he’ll be fine.

      On the A’s catcher, good potential trade find, then flip JT to the Yankees. The money works for now too. The money saved could go to add an arm. Now that said, i think we underestimate how important JT is to the staff, so it’s not going to happen. Not to mention he has a no trade clause (Could be wrong but I googled it, 10/5 rights i believe) if the has a NTC, he’s not going imho.

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      1. I see a world where the Phillies could trade for Langeliers without moving on from JT. This would require them to put Schwarber in LF against lefties and have JT on the bench against righties:

        RHP

        C – Langeliers

        DH – Schwarber

        LF / RF – Marsh / Hill

        LHP

        C – Realmuto

        DH – Langeliers

        LF / RF – Schwarber / Marsh

        Quite similar to how the Braves handled the Murphy / D’Arnaud platoon.

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    2. it was decided last night to bring him up – it was due to the work bullpen has endured – it may be a short stay but I’m a big McFarlane fan so hopefully he does well and can stick there. Their preference was not to bring him to the show yet whether you choose to believe that or not.

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      2. I don’t think anyone doubts that that was their preference. The question is why? Why not bring up a guy who throws 102 and has had dominant K rates in the minors? Unless they obviously are concerned if he is ready.

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  7. I think Wood has a chance to be very good. He is going to give up a HR here and there. I like his demeanor on the mound. He goes after the hitters.

    This is going to be a tough 9 game stretch so need all hands-on deck. Hope the bats can find some hits and runs these next few series.

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  8. Bob Nightingale: USA Sports 

    “The Phillies, who already were seeking a right-handed hitting outfielder, now are in desperate need of a setup man with veteran Brad Keller out for the year with a torn UCL in his right elbow. They would love to acquire Mets reliever Luke Weaver, but the price tag may be high.” [USA TODAY]

    Hope Dave Dombrowski does not read this….pass on this trade with div. riv. Mets.

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  9. With the schedule being demanding post all star game, it doesn’t help dropping two of three to the Mets. I applaud Rangel for his perseverance toiling in the minors but he is not a major league starter. This team cannot give up every fifth start.

    I’d like to see them give the other Keller pitching at LHV a shot. It can’t be any worse than what they are getting and have gotten from the other starters who have pitched in those previous games. Painter and TyWin have left the team in a precarious situation.

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    1. Brian Keller, yes it’s worth giving him a shot now as options are limited. He’s had an interesting resume with some minor league success, a no hitter, a trip to Japan, and TJ surgery. He seems to be throwing the ball well right now. Can he be worse than Rangel?

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  10. Watching the game yesterday from the stands – a beautiful day despite the lousy outcome – I was struck by the similarity between Painter and Rangel. Both pitchers get a quick 0-2 or 1-2 count on the batter ; batter then fouls off 4 or 5 pitches ; then both pitchers end up in a 3-2 count ; they then either walk the batter or the hitter gets a bloop hit by putting the ball in play. Wash, rinse, and repeat to the following hitters. Neither pitcher has the ability today to put batters away when they have them down in the count. It begs the question what is that final ingredient that the good pitchers have to just “close out” the at bat ? Can that be taught ?

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      1. Agreed!

        Excited about McFarlane – he is chock full of potential. I don’t blame the Phillies one bit for giving him a go now – if he can stick, that’s really going to help ease the prospect load going out at the trade deadline.

        And Renteria – I mean, I guess we have to give this a little time, but he’s looking the like our great white whale – the prospect we’ve been waiting for for decades. No pressure, lol!

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  13. Ahh at this point do not trade any prospects. Same infield that is just not good enough to get through a playoff run to NLCS. Can you beat any of the NL Division leaders where there will be at least one misplay at SS. Can remember when Phil’s played Dodgers and big red machine back in 70s and those teams pounced all over any little mistake by Phils.

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  14. Thank goodness we’re rid of Bohm after this year. I wish we had someone in the pipeline to replace him, but I’ll take the addition by subtraction.

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  15. Including today’s first inning, updated list of the most GIDP since 2021:

    Vlad Guerrero 115

    Pete Alonso 101

    Alec Bohm 100

    Josh Bell 100

    I don’t think Bohm will catch Vladdy, but second place is doable.

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    1. Clarification: Bohm has achieved his 100 GIDP in 3157 plate appearances, meaning he has had a GIDP every 31.57 plate appearances. Vladdy has done his 115 GIDP in 3862 plate appearances, for a GIDP every 33.58 plate appearances. So Bohm has him beat in how frequently he grounds into a double play.

      Similarly, Alonso has 3817 plate appearances (so a GIDP every 37.79 plate appearances), and Josh Bell has 3355 plate appearances (so a GIDP every 33.55 plate appearances).

      In other words, Bohm is the champion! If you need someone to ground into a double play, he’s the best. He just needs more plate appearances to pull ahead of Vladdy.

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      1. And the more embarrassing part of that stat… all of those hitters are above average (or better) contributors and hit for power.

        In that time frame;

        Bell: 120 HRs, 110 wRC+

        Alonso: 216 HRs, 131 wRC+

        Guerrero: 165 HRs, 139 wRC+

        Bohm: 78 HRs, 97 wRC+

        I don’t get how he keeps convincing managers that he’s good enough to hit in the middle of the order.

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          1. No, he should have four. But the one Jim was talking about (and I replied about) was the second one that they called a hit.

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    2. Yeah. It is bad. And likely to get worse as he ages. He clearly needs to be moved to an OF spot. I think that he could be a plus OF but needs reps. Hard move to do mid season.

      Then of course the next question is, who is SS? Could we move Stott to SS? Edmundo? Could we trade for Bo Bichette? Move him to SS and Turner to RF?

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  17. Stott is another batter (hitter?) I have issue with. Always takes first pitch down the middle then strikes out on a pitch out of the zone. Like his K in the 4th, pitch was high by about a foot. SMH.

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    1. In years past I didn’t mind that from Stott because historically he’s been really good about seeing a lot of pitches while walking a decent amount and keeping strikeouts fairly low.

      But his strikeouts have ticked up and his walks down this year, so I agree it’s time to change up his approach to make pitchers more cautious of him.

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  19. Listening to Tommy Edman during the game, I realized if he could make the switch to third…….why not Turner next season. All it is a matter of instincts for the most part……and of course there is the charge in on a trickler or bunt and making the throw over to first base.

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      1. Kim, Mateo and Story upcoming free agents, though Bosox hold an option on Story. Crawford also, but he was personna non grata the first time so no attraction for me …..

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      2. Keep an eye on Cleveland’s Bryan Rocchio. His glove has always been excellent, but since late last year he’s been hitting. Cleveland is loaded with infield prospects. I think their top one is SS. Not sure if we have anything to interest them in a trade, though.

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        1. Bryan Rincon in AA is Rocchio 2.0. I get that hes not ready yet but it would be kind of funny to trade for a guy when we have a very similar player who will be ready in a year or two

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          1. I agree. Rincon’s progress has been a bit story the front office has been strangely quiet about. Rocchio has, however, proven it in the bigs, including the playoffs.

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            1. Well it was done June 5th….with an 8 week recovery period, so another two weeks we should have a better idea how he is doing……it was a minimally invasive spinal procedure called a radiofrequency ablation to treat facet inflammation in his lumbar spine. The outpatient treatment “zaps” nerves-assume sciatica ..prevents them from sending pain signals to the brain, allowing him to rehabilitate. We all know older guys who suffer with this..my firend had it done….did not work …he was 82 however, and like ,ost older guys, arthritis is a favtor in the stenosis…and usually it is temporary relief. Think Eagles center Cam Jurgens had it done Feb 2025 and he played last season, so can be possible Miller will be back playing by the end of August sometime. They will take it slow.

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            2. I read the Inquirer article and had a few thoughts after I did.

              First, boy, this sounds like a difficult situation – usually, articles like this say that a guy will get a procedure and be back to normal or close to normal in a specified period of time. That article said nothing of the kind, which was pretty disconcerting, although it did imply that these injuries tend to work themselves out if caught early and addressed.

              Second, they said the procedure to blunt the nerves was only temporary, which leaves the obvious question of whether this is a chronic condition. The article left that question hanging quite a bit (and, to me, implied that was possible), although my overall impression was that the ablation was done to relieve pain to open a window of time where rehabilitation work can be done to take care of the problem on a permanent basis.

              But, overall, the process, the prognosis and the path forward was one of the more vague and confusing things I’ve ever read about an athlete’s physical problem, and I don’t think it’s because the writer was doing a poor job at explaining the problem and possible solutions.

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  21. Good thing Phillies win 10-7. Feast last night on Dodgers 2nd line pitchers. Romus mentioned to me Phillies inability to score on good pitchers. Maybe Phillies catch break this series. No Ohtani, No Snell, No Yamamoto, No Glasnow, No Sasaki. Dodgers have lots of pitchers.

    Turner is better going to his right for backhand. But it must be focus on these others. If I am a 12U, 14U, 16U coach I would want my SS to field those 4 he missed last night. One in front of 2nd the most difficult but makeable. Had He missed it Stott was right there to field it and step on 2nd.

    At least last night he did as tv guys said. Knock in more than you let in. Think it was 5-3 last night. Also, couple years ago one of the national guys, either Smoltz or Cone one night made comment that today it is really difficult to make an error in MLB these days. Kruk always references it as well when someone makes a lousy play on a ball that should have been made.

    Thought of this the other day. In a game what positions have the highest number of chances per game. My guess is SS and 2B but not sure. Last night Turner missed 4 and I remember he made 2 at least. That is 6 chances. I just wonder what the % may be.

    Ruff says Turner new LF, Stott SS, who is on 2B? Turner must get better if Phillies are to be successful. Not going to score 10 runs every game.

    Romus. Check for new email.

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    1. The annoying thing about that ball he botched in front of second base was they called it a hit because of the fast runner… but he could have just held onto the ball and tagged second for the out instead. The runner going to second was barely in frame by the time he booted it.

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  23. The Dodgers are really good because of their depth. When you can replace Smith with Rushing and have Edman start and be able to line Muncy up for a key pinch hit the way Roberts did you begin to see why they are so far ahead of everyone else.

    I don’t think anything irks me more in baseball than a lead off walk when you have a 10-4 lead…

    I’d rather a solo HR than a walk because everyone knows a come back of that nature requires baserunners.

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  24. The Brewers always seem to do more with less much like the Rays. Its interesting that the Cubs thought the magic was in Counsel and paid him a ridiculous sum. The Mets thought it was in the GM and paid Stern a ridiculous sum of $10 million over 5 years.

    LOL the Brewers just roll on. Perhaps its something else.

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  25. Wasn’t the 9th inning last night a perfect time for Macfarlane to get his feet wet? Was it that he hadn’t gotten to Philly yet? They can’t keep sending guys like Shugart out there even with a giant lead. The one good thing was that Alvarado had a clean inning.

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    1. It is always interesting when a reliever’s first batter is issued a walk….at that point you reach for your Lisinopril for blood pressure relief.

      We have our share of Lisinopril relievers.

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      2. especially in lopsided games like last night. just throw strikes, if he hits one 500 feet, whatever you are still up big. walks can lead to full rallies

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    2. it was the perfect time to put him in. it could have gotten his feet wet and we could have seen what he can do. plus, if he gives up 2 runs, you pull him for Duran like they did with Shugart. And nobody around the league is going to be like “well, we like the kid and were going to trade for him, but he gave up 2 runs to the dodgers in his first major league inning, so we are out!”

      the whole thing is ridiculous, he should be the third or fourth option out of the pen right now, and instead they are actively holding him back

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  26. When De La Cruz comes up, who goes down? It is probably the 3rd catcher. Who will replace Stubbs in the blowouts?

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  27. Lose our best reliever after Duran. Got us out of the inning 3 outs on 4 pitches. Hurts, the concession sales, I know!

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  29. 4 ks two innings sitting 97-98. Sharp slider. That’s all he’s throwing no hits one walk. Fingers crossed keeps going

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