The Phillies opened the season with three pitchers on the injured list – Zack Wheeler, Orion Kerkering and Max Lazar. We kind of have an idea that at least Wheeler and Kerkering are going to be back sooner rather than later since they have already begun rehab assignments in Lehigh Valley. Lazar’s status is a bit more hazy, so we can’t really know when he’ll come back.
These impending returns of Wheeler and Kerkering mean that there will be roster shuffling about to occur. Two of the assumed three bottom pitchers on staff will have to get removed, so the question is which ones and when. Of the three – Backhus, Pop and Mayza – which ones should be gone and when? Should Backhus be the first to go, his funk not funky enough to get hitters out consistently? Might Pop’s roster bubble get….popped? Maybe it’s none of these three. Give your best guess.