Phillies news and rumors 5/13: Phils to use opener ahead of Bailey Falter

The Phillies will pair Bailey Falter with an opener. (Photo by Melissa Tamez/Icon Sportswire)

Although Bailey Falter is staying in the Philadelphia Phillies rotation, his next appearance won’t come as the starting pitcher.

With the left-hander struggling heavily through his first seven starts of 2023, manager Rob Thomson announced that another pitcher will open up the game in Falter’s next outing, as reported by Alex Coffey of The Philadelphia Inquirer on Friday. The Phillies have not yet said which of their usual relievers will take the mound ahead of Falter, who is lined up to pitch Monday.

The 26-year-old lefty has a 5.75 ERA in seven starts with a 7.71 ERA in the first inning of games. After skipping his turn in the rotation this weekend in Colorado, the Phillies will look to use the opener to try to find better results in the wake of five straight losing decisions by Falter.

Following another pitcher won’t be a completely new idea to Falter. Early on as a rookie in 2021, he was called upon to piggyback starter Spencer Howard’s short outings to give the Phillies more length before going to the rest of the bullpen.

The Phillies will have several options to serve as an opener, depending on the specific matchup. Right-handers Connor Brogdon and Andrew Bellatti have each opened one game in their careers, and lefty Matt Strahm started six games for the Phillies before being moved to the bullpen.

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