Phillies release Didi Gregorius as part of series of roster moves

Prior to opening a four-game weekend series with the Washington Nationals, the Phillies announced a series of roster moves.

The most notable was that shortstop Didi Gregorius has been released by the team. Jean Segura was reinstated from the 60-day injured list and will resume being the starting second baseman, with Bryson Stott likely to shift back to his natural position of shortstop. That would have left Gregorius to be a bench player. Without much in the way of positional flexibility or value as a pinch hitter, the Phillies evidently determined that Yairo Muñoz, Edmundo Sosa and Darick Hall made more sense to keep as bench pieces than Gregorius.

Even with the release, the Phillies will be on the hook for the remainder of Gregorius’ $14.5 million salary in 2022. That salary was part of a two-year/$28 million deal that Gregorius signed with the Phillies in February of 2021. Over those two seasons, Gregorius slashed just .210/.267/.345 with a .613 OPS.

Gregorius was an excellent hitter for the Phillies in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season after signing a one-year/$14 million deal in free agency. The former New York Yankee slashed .284/.339/.488 with 10 home runs, 40 RBIs and an .827 OPS, playing all 60 games on the slate that season.

Ultimately, Gregorius’ body seems to have broken down over the past couple seasons, sapping him of the power that made him a valuable player, despite shortcomings in the field. It’s unclear what the future holds for the 32-year-old.

In addition to Segura returning and Gregorius being released, trade deadline acquisitions Noah Syndergaard and Brandon Marsh have reported to the Phillies. Syndergaard will wear No. 43 and start this evening. Meanwhile, Marsh is slated to wear the No. 16 that was previously worn by Mickey Moniak, now an Angel.

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