Two days after giving up a go-ahead grand slam in a disastrous Philadelphia Phillies loss in which they coughed up three different leads, reliever David Hale was removed from the team’s roster.
The Phillies designated Hale for assignment on Friday, as announced by the club. Reliever and former Rookie of the Year Neftalí Feliz was called up to the majors from Triple-A Lehigh Valley in place of Hale’s spot on the 40-man roster.
Hale, who was acquired by the Phillies from the New York Yankees in a trade during the 2020 season, surrendered a go-ahead grand slam to Washington Nationals first baseman Josh Bell in the sixth inning of Wednesday’s game. He previously entered for Sam Coonrod after he loaded the bases. With the Phillies up 9-5, Hale allowed a two-run single to Trea Turner to cut the Nationals’ deficit to two runs.
The 33-year-old walked Juan Soto to put runners on each base, and Bell put Washington up 11-9. The Phillies later lost 13-12, with closer Héctor Neris blowing a save in the ninth.
Hale looked to be the team’s mop-up man this season, but found himself pitching in bigger spots similar to Wednesday’s on multiple occasions for manager Joe Girardi. The right-hander had a 6.41 ERA in 26 2/3 innings over 17 appearances in 2021.
Feliz was given his spot in the bullpen, returning to the major leagues for the first time since 2017. The 33-year-old Feliz was the closer for the Texas Rangers in 2010 and 2011 as the team won back-to-back American League pennants and Feliz won 2010 AL Rookie of the Year. The right-hander had a 1.26 ERA across 14 1/3 innings in 15 games for Lehigh Valley this season.
The Phillies made a few other moves Friday as well. The right-hander Coonrod was placed on the 10-day injured list (retroactive to Thursday), and infielder Nick Maton was sent back up from Triple-A in his place. Matt Joyce (lower back spasms) will begin a rehab assignment in Clearwater on Friday. Brandon Kintzler (neck strain) will head to Lehigh Valley to begin his rehab assignment.
They also promoted right-hander Enyel De Los Santos from Lehigh Valley as the 27th player for Friday’s doubleheader against the New York Mets.
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