The Phillies just don't think Domonic Brown is ready.
Brown was reinstated from the 15-day DL on Tuesday and optioned to Triple A Lehigh Valley.
The 20-day clock on Brown's rehab assignment ended Tuesday, forcing the Phils to make a decision whether to bring him up to the majors or keep him in the minors. He had an option remaining and the Phillies used it.
Brown told reporters in Lehigh Valley earlier this week that he would be joining the Phillies on Wednesday, but manager Ryne Sandberg responded by saying that the organization hadn't "had official conversations about him, but from what I’ve seen I don’t know if he’s ready for major-league pitching or to come up and give us a punch, the way things have gone for him there."
Brown hit just .139 during the rehab assignment with one extra-base hit and six strikeouts. His 2014 was a struggle as well — he hit .235/.285/.349 with just 10 home runs in 144 games a year after making the NL All-Star team.
There are five outfielders on the Phillies' active roster: Ben Revere, Odubel Herrera, Darin Ruf, Jeff Francoeur and Grady Sizemore.