The Phillies made a change in their bullpen before Monday night’s series opener against Miami. Michael Kelly was added from Triple A while James Norwood was designated for assignment.
Kelly and Norwood are similar. Both are power-armed right-handers who have had control issues.
“We needed some pitching based on (Sunday),” manager Rob Thomson said. “Kelly has a big fastball, mid to upper 90s, curveball, slider. The slider is good. He’s gotten a lot of strikeouts with it. There’s some walks in there but we think there’s a couple things we can do here to get rid of some of those walks.”
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Kelly, 29, was a first-round pick of the Padres back in 2011. He spent last season in independent ball. This is his first trip to the majors. He was in big-league spring training camp with the Phillies.
At Lehigh Valley this season, Kelly had an ERA of 5.00 in 18 innings of work. He struck out 27 and walked nine.
The Phillies acquired Norwood from San Diego late in spring training in a trade that sent minor-league infielder Kervin Pichardo to the Padres. Norwood pitched to an 8.31 ERA in 20 games. He struck out 22 and walked nine in 17 1/3 innings.
Norwood could end up back in the Triple A with the Phillies if he is not traded and clears waivers.
MLB
KNEBEL UPDATE
Closer Corey Knebel said he does not believe the shoulder tightness he experienced on Saturday is a serious issue. He has not thrown from a mound since shutting down in the bullpen Saturday. Knebel continues to play catch before games. He remains on the active roster, but it was not certain whether he would be available for Monday night’s game.
RESET DAY
Nick Castellanos, hitting .191 in his last 30 games, was not in the starting lineup Monday. He’s healthy. Thomson just wanted to give him a reset day. Alec Bohm also was not in the starting lineup against Miami Marlins ace Sandy Alcantara. He was just getting a day off. Both players were available to pinch hit.
Versatile Matt Vierling started at third base in place of Bohm. The Phils went with a starting outfield of Mickey Moniak in center field, Kyle Schwarber in left and Odubel Herrera in right.
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