Phillies Cut 3-Year Veteran Immediately After Disastrous Blue Jays Game
The Philadelphia Phillies suffered another frustrating extra-inning loss to the Toronto Blue Jays on Saturday night, falling 7-5. Veteran reliever Chase Shugart entered the game in the 11th inning with the score tied but gave up a decisive two-run home run to Nathan Lukes, sealing the defeat. This brutal performance immediately led to Shugart's demotion from the 40-man roster to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Sunday. The Phillies recalled right-hander Alan Rangel to fill the open bullpen spot, as the team actively searches for reliable arms. Shugart, who held a 4.93 ERA this season, had primarily been used in lower-leverage situations, highlighting the Phillies' ongoing bullpen struggles amidst their Wild Card playoff push.
The Philadelphia Phillies endured another frustrating loss to the Toronto Blue Jays on Saturday night, and the fallout reached a poor performer almost immediately.
The Phillies entered the game looking to tie up its series after a disappointing loss on Friday, but instead watched a late lead disappear before suffering a painful extra-inning defeat. For one Phillies reliever, the game proved to be his final appearance before the club made a corresponding roster move.
Chase Shugart took the mound in the 11th inning with the game still tied, but he could not keep the Blue Jays off the scoreboard.
The decisive blow came with two outs in the bottom of the 11th. Toronto's Nathan Lukes worked Shugart into a full count as his season-long struggles continued.
“Nathan Lukes hit a two-run home run in the 11th inning and the Toronto Blue Jays defeated the Philadelphia Phillies 7-5 on Saturday night,” Aaron Bracy wrote for The Morning Call. “Lukes drove a two-out, 3-2 sweeper off Chase Shugart (2-1) into the seats in right for the winning runs.”
Phillies manager Don Mattingly might have saved new trade addition Brooks Raley for the late-game spot, but used him earlier instead. Shugart had been used primarily in lower-leverage situations this season, but the Phillies’ bullpen was low on options as the team looked to earn a win against the Blue Jays.
On Sunday, the Phillies cut Shugart from the 40-man roster and demoted him to the Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs, according to the official transaction log.
As the Phillies continue to search for a reliable bridge to closer Jhoan Duran, the team used Shugart’s open roster spot to bring in a replacement before the rubber match.
“He’ll give up his spot on the active roster and in the bullpen to right-hander Alan Rangel, who was recalled from Triple-A in a corresponding move,” CBS Sports reported. “Over two stints in the majors this season, Shugart has logged a 4.93 ERA and 1.33 WHIP over 38.1 innings innings while making most of his appearances in lower-leverage spots.”
With a Wild Card playoff spot hanging in the balance, the Phillies clearly have some bullpen issues to sort out. If Shugart ever does come back following this cut, Mattingly will want to think about using him in some lower-leverage spots.