Phillies activate Andrew McCutchen and Connor Brogdon, place José Alvarado on injured list

As expected, Phillies left fielder Andrew McCutchen (left knee inflammation) has been activated for Wednesday’s game against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Right-handed reliever Connor Brogdon (right elbow tendinitis) will also make his return from the injured list.

In a corresponding move, the Phillies placed left-hander José Alvarado (retroactive to Aug. 8) on the 10-day injured list with left shoulder impingement. They also optioned Damon Jones to Lehigh Valley.

McCutchen suffered the initial injury during a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates on July 31. The expectation was McCutchen was going to be ready to play once his minimum IL stint was up. After McCutchen ran the bases on Tuesday, he was deemed healthy enough to be added back to the active roster.

Brogdon last pitched on July 29 in a doubleheader against the Nationals. Manager Joe Girardi avoided using him during the Pirates series as the pitcher dealt with bicep soreness. The Phillies manager was hopeful that Brogdon would be able to return rather quickly, but after some hesitancy during a light side session, the Phillies decided to place him on the injured list.

For the time being, the Phillies will go with a bullpen that’s exclusively right handed. According to Matt Gelb of The Athletic, Matt Moore is “the best candidate” to start Saturday’s game, so that means he won’t be in the bullpen for the time being. Perhaps Alvarado’s injury changes that. Girardi addressed the media before the team announced Alvarado’s placement on the injured list.

Right-handed reliever Seranthony Domínguez’s rehab assignment was transferred to Double-A Reading on Wednesday. He pitched three times with the Jersey Shore BlueClaws and reached 95 mph with his fastball. The hope is that Domínguez could return to the Phillies bullpen some time in September.

McCutchen’s return is a big boost for a lineup that couldn’t muster a run against Max Scherzer and a banged up Dodgers bullpen. The return of Brogdon could be an even bigger boost, especially considering that Alvarado is now out with an injury. Sam Coonrod (right forearm tendinitis) and Bailey Falter (COVID-19 IL) are still out. Both will probably need to go out on a rehab assignment before returning.

Here are the lineups for Wednesday’s game against the Dodgers. Mookie Betts was placed on the 10-day IL with a hip injury.

Dodgers

1. Trea Turner, second base
2. Max Muncy, first base
3. Will Smith, catcher
4. Corey Seager, shortstop
5. Chris Taylor, third base
6. Cody Bellinger, center field
7. AJ Pollock, left field
8. Matt Beaty, right field
9. David Price, pitcher

Phillies

1. Jean Segura, second base
2. J.T. Realmuto, catcher
3. Bryce Harper, right field
4. Andrew McCutchen, left field
5. Alec Bohm, first base
6. Didi Gregorius, shortstop
7. Ronald Torreyes, third base
8. Odúbel Herrera, center field
9. Kyle Gibson, pitcher

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