Big win for the local nine last night, and some clarity on some roster and team questions. Read on:
About Last Night
Multi-hit games by the top two in the lineup, coupled with a three-run jack by Garrett Stubbs and add in a five-walk night by Lantigua, then mix in a nice set of innings from the bull-pen and you’ve got the recipe for a big win at Coca Cola Park last night.
Resources
Yesterday we previewed the Durham series, and raised some questions about what’s going on with this team and some of the players, including a review of the roster moves of the last week or so. Also, another in my series of Andrew Painter rants related to Philadelphia media.
Last week, the team released the preliminary home schedule for the 2026 IronPigs. Game times and away series have not been released at this time, and promotions and such won’t be released until later in the winter months. But we know what days the home games will be and who they play.
Roster Moves
As per usual, Home Tuesday brings a bevy of roster moves to start a series–even this time following the flurry of Sunday moves we detailed yesterday.
- RHP Max Lazar and INF/OF Otto Kemp reported from Philadelphia (optioned)
- RHP Nolan Hoffman optioned from Philadelphia
- Hey, he got one day of service time out of the deal, as well as a shot at a ring.
- RHP Jacob Waguespack activated from Injured List
- He pitched last night in relief and looked good. Not overpowering stuff by any means, but he kept batters off balance and missed some bats. For now we assume he’ll continue in a relief role.
- RHP Mitch Neunborn to the Development List
- He pitched on Sunday, and this is the standard shuffle for a starting pitcher who isn’t likely to be needed or available for a week anyway. At this point I don’t even list the Dev moves all the time.
- INF Christian Arroyo added to the 7-Day Injured List
- Feel bad for the dude. Just can’t stay healthy. Injury wasn’t specified, but that hamstring has been a problem all along and this is how they go sometimes.
- LHP Josh Walker Designated For Assignment
- We thought the left-handedness would save him. At least Hoffman got a one-day MLB pay check out of the deal. Hopefully he can stick around on a minors deal; we like having him.
Printable Roster: 081925 LHV Roster
Photo: Jack Mitroka
Clarity
With all the roster movement and cuts and whatnot, there were a bunch of unanswered questions which we reviewed in yesterday’s column. Sources around the park last night came through, and this is some of what we could find out:
- OF Cal Stevenson does have an injury. It’s a leg or a hip or something like that. He’s feeling better and is still in Allentown as of last night. It seems the Phillies needed that 40-man spot and opted for the clean release rather than the DFA dance. Not sure if there has to be a financial settlement when released directly from the minor league injured list. The way things have gone this season, I wouldn’t rule out his return on a minors deal if he’s needed, and he wants to, and he’s healthy.
- OF Gabriel Rincones Jr is doing better with his sprained ankle and should be activated soon. Perhaps even as soon as today.
- OF Johan Rojas was out for several games in a row over the Buffalo road trip. It was not an injury. He’s back to playing regularly now, and he looks good if the Phillies need him. We love watching him play. Being stuck in Triple-A sucks. Ask Stubbs. All you can do is play your way out of it.
- RHP Griff McGarry pitched for Reading last night in Altoona, PA against the Pirates affiliate. He pitched 3.1 innings with only one earned run. Six strikeouts. Doesn’t sound bad. BUT, it took him 91 pitches to get there and he issued five walks. We kind of know what he is, and there is the chance that this could all play OK in a relief role. Why not try it again, now? Unless, the Phillies have given up already and just want him to eat some innings until he moves on in the offseason.
The Ring Is The Thing: Did y’all see who played third base for the Dodgers the other day? Yeah, old friend Buddy Kennedy. With MLB service time in Philadelphia, Toronto, and Los Angeles he has three shots to come out of this season with some new jewelry. So far. Maybe he can get to Milwaukee somehow.
Photo: Jack Mitroka
Game Day!
Game Time: 6:45PM (!)
Gates: 5:30PM Main; 5:15PM Club
Tickets: Widely Available. Advanced: Pony up for a club ticket and your bobblehead is guaranteed!
Promotions:
- Country/Western Night
- Justin Crawford Bobblehead Giveaway (Adults)
- Tacos and Tallboys. Taco specials in the plaza; $5 select tallboys throughout the park.
Weather: Not great. 40% chance of rain at game time. Likely to be in the 60s.
Pitching:
IronPigs starting pitcher is still TBD. Perhaps, while short on pitchers, trying not to burn one on a day when they might not be able to get the entire game in.
Up Next
The home series with Durham rolls on with Thursday Happy Hour, Player Selfies and Ball Giveaway for the kiddos on Coquis Night. Then Friday is Fireworks on Faith Night and Saturday is more Fireworks with a rally towel giveaway. The home stand concludes Sunday with Old Time Baseball Day.
See you at the park,
@Kram207