Phillies Sign Former Braves First-Round Pick Amid Bullpen Concerns

The Philadelphia Phillies have a need after Jose Alvarado was suspended for 80 games, and it’s bullpen help.

The immediate connection in recent days has been veteran closer and setup man David Robertson, who is a free agent. Robertson has had two stints with the Phillies (2019-20 and 2022).

But the Phillies did make a smaller pitching move on May 20, according to The Athletic’s Matt Gelb.

MLB pitcher Lucas Sims takes the mound for the Atlanta Braves against the Philadelphia Phillies in 2018.Reinhold Matay-Imagn Images

“MLB.com reported the Phillies ‘reached out’ to 40-year-old David Robertson about a reunion, but ‘no serious talks took place,'” Gelb reported.

Adding: “The Phillies are seeking minor-league deals; they signed veteran righty Lucas Sims to one on Tuesday.”

“Sims, 31, was released earlier this month by the Washington Nationals,” the Phillies beat writer went on. “They had signed him to a $3 million deal only for Sims to post a 13.86 ERA with 12 walks and seven wild pitches in 12 1/3 innings. Sims will go to the Phillies’ pitching lab in Florida.”

Sims was a first-round pick (21st overall) of the NL East rival Atlanta Braves in 2012.

He began his MLB career as a starting pitcher with Atlanta in 2017, registering a 5.62 ERA over 10 starts and 57.2 innings pitched.

The following season, Sims was traded to the Cincinnati Reds after six appearances as a reliever. The Reds kept him in the bullpen initially, too, before trying Sims as a starter again in 2019.

However, the former top prospect seemed to be more comfortable in relief.

The best years of Sims’ pro career came in Cincinnati, as he finished with a 3.94 ERA over seven seasons of work. Then in 2024, the Reds traded Sims to the Boston Red Sox.

He ended up with the Nationals after that but is now seeking a fresh start following brief, rough stints in Boston and Washington.

Sims turned 31 years old on May 10.

Phillies Sign Former Braves First-Round Pick Amid Bullpen Concerns

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