Marsh was absent from the Phillies lineup on Monday due to a sore right elbow, but is expected to play on Tuesday. The team is facing a stretch of games against right-handed starting pitchers, which should mean regular starts for Marsh if his elbow is healthy. The Phillies are currently platooning Marsh with Wilson in left field, and Rojas with Pache in center based on pitching matchups. Wilson has performed well in his starts since being recalled from Triple A before the All-Star break. The Phillies could potentially look to upgrade their right-handed hitting outfielder position before the trade deadline.
The Phillies re-signed outfielder David Dahl to a minor-league deal after he was designated for assignment by the team in July. Dahl chose to return to the organization that he knew could potentially need a lefty-hitting outfielder due to injuries. Dahl homered in his Phillies debut but struggled at the plate afterwards. However, he has a history of performing well in Triple A and returns to the IronPigs with a strong batting average and OPS. Dahl will provide outfield depth for the Phillies moving forward.
The Braves signed Whit Merrifield to a major-league deal on Monday as Ozzie Albies was placed on the injured list with a fractured wrist. The injury is expected to sideline Albies until potentially the final week of the regular season, adding to the Braves’ list of injured players which includes several key contributors. Merrifield quickly joined the Braves on Monday but suffered a finger injury during batting practice and is currently listed as day-to-day. The team will have to navigate their injuries and find ways to stay competitive in the playoff race.
Marsh’s absence from the Phillies lineup due to a sore right elbow forced manager Rob Thomson to make adjustments to the outfield rotation. With a stretch of games against right-handed starters ahead, Thomson will need to manage the platooning of outfielders to ensure the best matchups for the team. Wilson has performed well in his recent starts, providing a reliable option in left field. The Phillies may consider making a move to upgrade their outfield depth before the trade deadline to support their playoff push.
Dahl’s return to the Phillies organization on a minor-league deal provides the team with additional outfield depth. After a strong start in his Phillies debut, Dahl struggled at the plate but has a track record of success in Triple A. Dahl’s presence will offer the team a lefty-hitting option in the outfield if injuries occur. The Phillies will need to rely on their depth to weather the challenges of a long season and maintain their competitiveness in a tough division.
The Braves’ signing of Merrifield and subsequent injury setback highlights the challenges of dealing with a significant number of injuries to key players. With Albies sidelined due to a fractured wrist, Merrifield was brought in to help fill the void in the lineup. However, his injury during batting practice adds to the Braves’ growing list of health concerns. The team will need to focus on managing their injured players and finding ways to stay competitive in a tough division as they look to secure a playoff spot.
