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Phillies plan on rolling with both Cristian Pache, Johan Rojas when rosters expand

Johan Rojas has solidified a September roster spot. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire)

Cristian Pache (right elbow irritation) is expected to be activated off the injured list ahead of when active rosters expand from 26 to 28 players on Sept. 1.

Johan Rojas, Pache’s replacement on the roster, was originally expected to act as a stopgap in center field, but the 23-year-old has played his way into a September roster spot for the Phillies.

Rojas is slashing .293/.337/.413 with a 105 OPS+, which means he’s been five percent better than league average at the plate. He’s been as good as advertised as a defender and has exceeded expectations at the plate.

It’s a big reason why Rob Thomson confirmed on Wednesday morning that the Phillies still plan on carrying both Pache and Rojas on the major league roster.

All 30 teams are allowed to carry 14 position players past Sept. 1. Most teams probably do not need 14 players on the roster with the elimination of pitchers hitting, but the Phillies will use those extra spots on outfielders who could both start and come into a game late as a defensive replacement.

“How he impact the game defensively,” Thomson said about Rojas. “He plays center field and goes 0-for-4 with three strikeouts. He probably impacts the game in a positive way with just the way he plays.”

Pache cannot be optioned to the minor leagues, so the Phillies have to roster him in order to keep him. Rojas can be sent to the minors if the Phillies had decided the best course of action was to make sure he got everyday at-bats in Triple A.

Weeks ago, the Phillies spoke about the possibility of keeping both Pache and Rojas, two star-caliber defenders in center field, on the roster. It was easier back then to imagine that setup because Bryce Harper was expected to be the full-time first baseman for the rest of the season. The Phillies would move Kyle Schwarber to DH and mix-and-match between Rojas, Pache and Brandon Marsh in left and center field.

That’s still the Phillies’ ideal defensive alignment, but it’s not how the Phillies are going to line up everyday for the time being. Harper, who is starting at first base on Wednesday, is still dealing with what the team deems as a minor back issue. He spent the first six games of the homestand in the DH spot with Schwarber starting in left field. He’s currently rotating between being a DH and playing first base.

Prior to Rojas’ emergence, Pache was excelling both at the plate and in center field. In 53 plate appearances, Pache is slashing .327/.365/.592 with two home runs and eight RBIs.

Pache has been out since the All-Star break after undergoing a procedure to remove a loose screw in his right elbow. His minor league rehab assignment was recently paused due to hip and knee issues. Pache is expected to play left field for Lehigh Valley on Wednesday.

Pache has more power potential while Rojas is more contact-oriented and more likely to steal a bag and wreak havoc on the bases. The Phillies hope to get more power out of Rojas as he ages.

It will be interesting to see how Thomson divides the playing time between two young players with very similar skillsets. The Phillies may have to make a decision between the two in the offseason. What was once a deficit for years — center field — has quickly become a surplus.

“I really haven’t thought about it,” Thomson said when asked how challenging it could be to find both Pache and Rojas ample playing time. “I think it’s all going to depend on a daily basis on who they’re pitching and who we are pitching. I don’t know how the playing time is going to shape up, but we’re going to put up the right lineup, in our minds, everyday. Whatever it is.”