Phillies release Whit Merrifield

The Phillies have released utility man Whit Merrifield, per a team announcement. Weston Wilson will take his spot on the roster.

Merrifield struggled over his three-and-a-half months with the Phillies. An All-Star as recent as last season with the Toronto Blue Jays, Merrifield could not find any semblance of consistency at the plate. He slashed .199/.277/.295 with three home runs, 11 RBIs and 11 stolen bases.

The Phillies signed Merrifield in spring training to a one-year, $8 million dollar contract to have him occupy a bench spot and fill in at multiple positions, including second base, third base and left field. He struggled to adjust to the lack of playing time and when it came time for the club to rely on a bench bat when Trea Turner went down with an injury in early May, Edmundo Sosa went on a tear at the plate and established himself as the preferred next man up.

The Phillies did give Merrifield a run of starts at the end of June, early July, but the writing was on the wall.

Wilson swung a hot bat in the month of June, batting .377 with a 1.465 OPS in 53 at-bats with Triple-A Lehigh Valley. The Phillies viewed him as a utility infielder in his first stint with the club this season, but he has made four starts in left field in July for the IronPigs.

We’ll have more on this story as more information becomes available.

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