The Philadelphia Phillies signed veteran reliever on Tuesday, just days after José Alvarado was suspended for testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs.
The 31-year-old reliever signed a one-year deal with the Washington Nationals during spring training. He struggled in 18 appearances for Washington, allowing 14 hits and 19 runs over 12 1/3 innings before being released earlier this month.
With Alvarado serving an 80-game suspension and being ineligible for the postseason, Sims could become a potential addition to the Phillies’ bullpen, though his exact role remains to be seen.
A former first-round pick by the Atlanta Braves, Sims enjoyed success with the Cincinnati Reds, posting a 3.10 ERA, 27.8% strikeout rate, and a 1.9 WAR in 61 innings. He had a career-high 39% strikeout rate in 2021 over 47 innings. However, his performance with Washington this season was underwhelming, with his strikeout rate dropping to 18.1%, his fourth-lowest of his career.
In other news, the Phillies optioned Mick Abel to Triple-A Lehigh Valley following his historic MLB debut and recalled Max Lazar. Before their 9-3 victory over the Colorado Rockies, manager Rob Thomson told reporters that he doesn’t anticipate any significant changes in how his relievers approach games during Alvarado’s suspension, which lasts until August.
“Just do your thing and try not to do more than who you are, because I truly believe we have enough stuff in our pen,” Thomson said. “We do. Just don’t try to do too much. Throw strikes. Just be yourselves, and we’ll get it done.”
Jordan Romano, Matt Strahm and Orion Kerkering are locked into high-leverage roles for the Phillies, but the club will hope one of their middle relievers will pitch their way into an elevated role.
“We’ve got to find out about some other guys, too,” Thomson said Monday. “Joe Ross hasn’t pitched in eight days, so he’s got to pitch tonight, and that might be a leverage spot. Same thing with (José) Ruiz. We’ve had (Tanner) Banks in some leverage spots lately, and he’s done a fine job.”
Leave a Reply