Categories: News

Here we go: Saunders, Gomez DFA’d; Perkins, Milner up

Photo by Keith Allison

The Phillies have pulled the trigger on the first major roster move of the 2017 season, designating outfielder Michael Saunders and relief pitcher Jeanmar Gomez for assignment.

In their place come outfielder Cameron Perkins and reliever Hoby Milner.

Saunders has struggled mightily after being signed this season by the Phillies. The former all-star has a .205/.257/.360 line with six home runs and 20 RBI in 214 plate appearances.

Gomez has also had it tough. The 2016 closer has a 7.25 ERA in 22.1 innings.

Perkins, the first hitting prospect to be called up in 2017, has a .298/.388/.476 line in Lehigh Valley with six home runs and 21 RBI in 208 plate appearances. He’s likely to slot into a corner outfield position for the time being.

Milner has had an outstanding season after being drafted (then sent back) in the Rule 5 Draft by Cleveland. Milner has a 2.60 ERA with 27 strikeouts and four walks in 27.2 innings.

Tim Malcolm

Tim first found the Phillies as a little infant at Veteran’s Stadium, cheering on a Juan Samuel game-winning home run in his very first game. With the pinstripes in his blood, he witnessed Terry Mulholland’s 1990 no-hitter, “Steve Carlton Night” at the Vet, game three of the 1993 World Series, countless games during the charmed 2008 championship season and various road excursions. Since November 2007 Tim’s been writing about them daily at Phillies Nation, becoming one of the world’s most popular Phillies scribes. You can catch him on Twitter and Facebook, as well. When he’s not talking about the Phils he’s relaxing with a St. Bernardus ABT 12 or one of his many favored brews.