Aaron Nola is coming back to the team this weekend and with his arrival comes change.
That’s right, the team with six capable starting pitchers is going to use them for the time being rather than banish someone to the bullpen prematurely. At some point, someone will need to learn how to pitch out of the ‘pen, but that’s a future Phillies problem. Present Phillies, they’re trying to give everyone a little bit of a break in between starts.
There will be some effects that happen with this decision as a result.
The most obvious effect is that there will be an extra day’s rest for the entirety of the rotation for at least one time through, maybe two depending on the on field results. Considering that there is at least one, maybe two, starters that looks like he can use that day off, it could be a good thing.
The other effect is on the bullpen. With Nola going into to the rotation to make that unit a unit of six rather than five, someone from the bullpen will have to vacate, putting a little more stress on the remaining members. League rules dictate that they can only carry 13 pitchers overall, so instead of it breaking down as five starters/eight relievers, it will be six starters/seven relievers. Unless the starters are going to continually go six innings each outing, there will be a bit more stress placed on the bullpen. Of course, they are, by far, the least taxed bullpen in the game by innings pitched, so maybe they are ready for this job.
Who gets sent out is a matter of discussion. One would assume that the decision comes down to optioning Max Lazar to the minor leagues or designating Jordan Romano for assignment. Joe Ross might have been in this discussion as well, but his ability to pitch multiple innings will be useful during this brief six man spell. While Romano is probably more deserving of losing his spot on the roster, it’s probable that the team continues to preserve whatever pitching depth they can this late into the season by sending Lazar down instead. Cutting bait with Romano is completely justified thanks to whatever you want to call his performance this season, but just basing the decision on past decisions the team has made when they are faced with optioning pitchers out, it’s why Lazar going down feels like the move.
Can Romano survive the roster scythe once Jose Alvarado is ready? That’s entirely a different story.
For now, let’s hope this little break that the starters will be getting benefits them in the run for the postseason.