With spring training just around the corner, the Phillies are still tinkering with their bullpen puzzle-and on Saturday, they added another piece. Veteran right-hander Lou Trivino is back in the fold, reportedly re-signing with Philadelphia on a minor league deal that includes an invitation to big league camp.
For Trivino, it’s a homecoming in more ways than one. The Pennsylvania native, who grew up in Green Lane and pitched collegiately at Slippery Rock, is getting another shot to prove he belongs in a major league bullpen.
He signed with the Phillies last summer and worked his way up through Triple-A Lehigh Valley before earning a call-up in late August. Once he arrived, he made his presence felt.
In 10 appearances down the stretch, Trivino posted a 2.00 ERA and struck out eight in nine innings. It was a small sample, sure, but a strong one-enough to earn another look this spring as the Phillies sort through a deep and competitive bullpen mix.
Trivino’s journey last season also included stints with the Giants and Dodgers, where he logged 38 2/3 innings and posted a 4.42 ERA. While the results were mixed, the 34-year-old brings a solid track record to camp. Over six big league seasons, he’s compiled a 3.87 ERA across 332 2/3 innings, showing he can be a reliable option when healthy and locked in.
But make no mistake-Trivino’s path to the Opening Day roster won’t be easy. The Phillies have been busy stockpiling bullpen depth this offseason, and the competition is going to be fierce.
With five bullpen spots already spoken for-Jhoan Duran, José Alvarado, Brad Keller, Orion Kerkering, and Tanner Banks are all expected to be locks-there may be just two spots left up for grabs. Jonathan Bowlan, another offseason addition, is a strong candidate to claim one of them.
That leaves a crowded field battling for what could be the final bullpen seat. Trivino will be in the mix alongside Rule 5 pick Zach McCambley, Zach Pop, Kyle Backhus, Seth Johnson, Chase Shugart, Max Lazar, and Nolan Hoffman-all of whom are already on the 40-man roster. And that’s before even factoring in the non-roster invitees, a group that includes experienced arms like Michael Mercado, Tim Mayza, Génesis Cabrera, Trevor Richards, Jonathan Hernández, Daniel Robert, Andrew Bechtold, and Andrew Walling.
In short, the Phillies are going to have some difficult decisions to make. But that’s a good problem to have.
This kind of depth is exactly what contending teams need over the course of a long season. Injuries happen.
Slumps happen. And when they do, having a veteran like Trivino waiting in the wings can be the difference between staying afloat and falling behind.
Whether Trivino breaks camp with the big club or starts the year in Triple-A, he’s now firmly on the radar. He’s shown he can contribute, and if he continues to throw well this spring, he’ll give the Phillies something to think about. One way or another, don’t be surprised if we see him back on a major league mound before long.