Phillies claim starter, continue to shake up Triple-A roster

Nick Nelson was designated for assignment by the Phillies. (Cheryl Pursell)

The Phillies continued to shake up the depth on their 40-man and Triple-A rosters over the weekend, claiming right-hander Kyle Tyler off waivers from the Miami Marlins on Sunday.

The starting pitcher was added to the 40-man roster and optioned to Triple-A Lehigh Valley. Reliever Nick Nelson was designated for assignment to make room for Tyler’s addition.

Nelson was the long man in Philadelphia in 2022 as he led the Phillies bullpen with 68 2/3 innings, but the right-hander has spent the majority of the last two seasons with the IronPigs. Tyler, 27, had a 5.40 ERA in eight appearances (seven starts) for the Marlins, but provides depth for a Phillies rotation and team that has dealt with some question marks and injuries so far in the second half. He has a 4.31 ERA in 15 career appearances since 2021 with the Angels, Padres and Marlins.

Left-hander Kolby Allard had spent three weeks in the Phillies’ rotation and did a serviceable job, but he was optioned to Triple-A on Friday with the expectation that Taijuan Walker (finger inflammation) will return for Philadelphia on Tuesday. He and Tyler still appear to be the most likely options for a starter to call up from Triple-A if needed in the near future. Allard will report to Lehigh Valley on Monday, the IronPigs said.

Breakout reliever Max Lazar, who signed a minor-league contract last winter and began the year in Double-A, had his contract selected and was promoted to the big leagues in Allard’s place, and outfielder Cal Stevenson had his contract selected by the Phillies to replace injured left fielder Austin Hays (hamstring strain). Both played for the Phillies over the weekend.

First baseman Darick Hall and right-hander Max Castillo were designated for assignment to create room on the 40-man roster for Lazar and Stevenson. Both players cleared waivers and were outrighted back to Lehigh Valley on Sunday. IronPigs infielder Nick Podkul and left-handed pitcher Taylor Lehman were then released by the Phillies.