The Phillies kept adding to their pitching mix Thursday, claiming right-hander Andrew Hoffmann off waivers from the Arizona Diamondbacks and sending him to Triple-A Lehigh Valley.
It’s the latest move for a club that has suddenly found its stride. Philadelphia has won six straight, sweeping both the Minnesota Twins and Miami Marlins, and has climbed to within 4.5 games of the Atlanta Braves in the NL East.
The turnaround since the trade deadline has been real, but the bullpen still stands out as the obvious area that needs help. After signing Nestor Cortes on Wednesday, the Phillies moved again a day later.
“The Phillies have claimed RHP Andrew Hoffmann off waivers from the Arizona Diamondbacks and optioned him to Triple-A Lehigh Valley. To make room on the 40-man roster, INF/OF Felix Reyes was recalled from LHV and placed on the 60-day injured list with a right-wrist fracture,” the Phillies announced.
Reyes’ injury news is a tough break, but Hoffmann is the more intriguing part of the transaction for now. He won’t join the big-league club immediately, yet he gives Philadelphia another arm to stash and evaluate as the season moves along.
Hoffmann is 26 and has already reached the majors. In his MLB career, he has posted a 6.85 ERA over 23.2 innings, and this season has been rougher still, with a 7.71 ERA in 11.2 innings. His minor-league numbers are more of the same: a 4.69 ERA across 407 innings, including a 6.08 ERA in 13.1 innings over 12 games at Triple-A this year.
He was once regarded as a top prospect in the Kansas City Royals system, much like Jonathan Bowlan. Hoffmann doesn’t come with one standout calling card, but he’s viewed more as a pitcher with a little bit of everything.
Given the way Caleb Cotham and the Phillies have helped pitchers recently, it’s a low-risk shot at a former prospect who could still be worth a look. And because it cost Philadelphia nothing more than a roster spot, it’s the kind of move teams make when they’re trying to find one more useful arm for the stretch run.
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