Nick Pivetta optioned, Nick Williams DFAd in series of roster moves

After the Philadelphia Phillies nearly needed to bring closer Hector Neris into the ninth inning of Monday night’s game against the Altanta Braves – an inning that they started with a 12-run lead – the organization announced a host of roster moves Tuesday.

Nick Pivetta, who gave up six runs in 1/3 of an inning Monday night, has been optioned to the satellite squad at Lehigh Valley. Pivetta’s struggles from 2019 have carried into 2020, as the 27-year-old has a 15.88 ERA in three relief appearances in 2020. Pivetta will not be exposed to waivers, as this was his final minor league option.

While Phillies pitching coach Bryan Price was high on Trevor Kelley coming into the season, his time with the team may be over, as he was designated for assignment Tuesday. Kelley finished the game Monday, but did give up a run in 2/3 of an inning. The 26-year-old has a 10.80 ERA in four appearances in 2020.

Righties Connor Brogdon and Blake Parker have been called up to replace Pivetta and Kelley. Brogdon – a 10th-round pick in 2017 – posted a 2.61 ERA in 51 minor league appearances across three different levels in 2019, finishing the season with Triple-A Lehigh Valley. Meanwhile, Parker rejoins the Phillies after posting a 5.04 ERA in 23 games for the team a season ago.

Additionally, Nick Williams was designated for assignment, very likely ending his tenure in the Phillies organization. Acquired in the July 2015 Cole Hamels trade, Williams reached a crossroads with the Phillies after Bryce Harper and Andrew McCutchen were signed ahead of the 2018 season, one that general manager Matt Klentak spoke about last month.

“Joe and I spent a lot of time with Nick yesterday talking to him about that when we met with him to tell him about the roster move,” Klentak said Thursday. “I really like Nick Williams, and there are a lot of people in this organization that do. And I know that the last year-and-a-half for him has been challenging, really starting with when we signed [Andrew] McCutchen and then [Bryce] Harper. That put Nick in a much different position than he’d been the prior year. We still believe in his talent…we still believe in the person…but unfortunately, the landscape of the outfield situation with the Phillies has changed in the last couple years and it’s been a difficult situation for him.

“We were very open with Nick yesterday, and he was very open with us – in a really productive…and professional…and respectful way in both directions. We’re gonna take it day by day. But he’s still a guy that we really do think is talented and has a bright future.”

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