Phillies Roster Moves: Hammer, Neshek, Robertson

Hammer

(Steven Kiebach/SportsTalkPhilly.com)

By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor

It's Hammer time.

Prior to the Philadelphia Phillies' Saturday matinee against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park, the club announced three roster moves to its major-league roster:

  • RHP Pat Neshek, placed on 10-day injured list (right shoulder strain; retroactive to May 24)
  • RHP David Robertson, transferred to 60-day injured list
  • RHP J.D. Hammer, contact selected from Triple-A Lehigh Valley

Neshek, 38, heads to the injured list as expected; just who replaced him on the 25-man roster — Hammer — is ironic and a surprise, however. Hammer, 24, posted a combined 1.61 ERA in 14 relief appearances in the minors this year; he made just one appearance at Triple-A Lehigh Valley after being promoted from Double-A Reading on Tuesday.

The Phillies acquired the Fort Collins, Colorado, native in July 2017, along with RHP Alejandro Requena and INF Jose Gomez, from the Colorado Rockies in exchange for Neshek. Hammer quickly rose through the Phillies system, as he was promoted four times since last August. Hammer will wear No. 65, according to MLB. No. 65 has only been worn once in Phillies history: Eddie Oropesa in 2001.

Robertson's woes with his Grade 1 flexor strain in his right elbow continue. Sidelined since mid-April, the 34-year-old recently visited orthopedist James Andrews and was told to not throw for another three weeks, with "rest recommended," according to The Athletic's Matt Gelb. Robertson is signed to a two-year, $23 million contract with a $12 million club option for 2021.

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