Sports Talk Philly: Philadelphia Sports News and Rumors

Report: Left-Hander Drew Smyly Agrees to Deal with Phillies

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By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor

Free agent LHP Drew Smyly has agreed to sign with the Philadelphia Phillies, likely to a major-league deal, as first reported by MLB Network's Jon Heyman on Friday. NBC Sports Philadelphia's Jim Salisbury first reported on Thursday that the Phillies have "expressed interest" in the left-hander, and added on Friday that Smyly could pitch "as soon as Sunday."

Smyly, 30, is a six-year veteran that has played all of his 169 career games (94 starts) in the American League — with the Detroit Tigers (2012-14), Tampa Bay Rays (2014-16) and Texas Rangers (2019). Smyly underwent Tommy John surgery in 2017.

Logan Morrison Homers on First Pitch Seen with Phillies Organization

By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor

Recently acquired veteran 1B/OF Logan Morrison wasted no time to prove he still is MLB-ready, making his debut in the Philadelphia Phillies organization Tuesday evening with Triple-A Lehigh Valley.

On his first pitch seen, with a runner on first and nobody out in the second, Morrison drilled a two-run home run to dead center. "LoMo" started the game at first base, batting fifth.

Report: Phillies Scout Blue Jays RHP Marcus Stroman

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By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor

The Philadelphia Phillies may have missed out on acquiring RHP Andrew Cashner from the Baltimore Orioles, but they reportedly have interest in another right-handed starting pitcher from the American League East -- the Toronto Blue Jays' RHP Marcus Stroman.

On Sunday, the Phillies were reportedly among five teams in attendance to see Stroman's start opposite the New York Yankees. The other teams, according to Canadian Baseball Network's Bob Elliot, include the Boston Red Sox, San Diego Padres, Atlanta Braves and Yankees. Stroman allowed three runs and seven hits spanning six innings while striking out seven batters.

Stroman, 28, has played all of his 133 career games since debuting in 2014 with the Toronto Blue Jays. While Stroman is 5-10 with a 3.25 ERA and an American League All-Star nod this season, he had gone 41-34 with a 3.91 ERA prior. The Medford, New York, native is in the last year of his contract and is arbitration eligible after the season.

Stroman's Sunday appearance was his first since June 29 due to cramping in his left pectoral muscle. If the Phillies express further interest in Stroman, they could also look for a package deal that involves bringing back reliever Ken Giles.

Phillies Lose Out on Acquiring RHP Andrew Cashner Despite 'Major Interest'

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By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor

The Philadelphia Phillies may have signed 1B/OF Logan Morrison to a minor-league deal on Saturday, but they ultimately lost out on another transaction which would have improved their struggling starting pitching rotation.

According to MASN's Roch Kubatko, the Phillies had "major interest" in acquiring RHP Andrew Cashner from the Baltimore Orioles, however the 10-year veteran was ultimately dealt to the Boston Red Sox on Saturday in exchange for 17-year-old minor-league prospects OF Elio Prado and INF Noelberth Romero. On Friday, baseball scribe Dan Federico reported the Phillies had "internal discussions" about the Orioles' Cashner, Dylan Bundy and Mychal Givens. It is not clear if their interest still exists in Bundy and/or Givens.

Cashner, 32, would have been a welcomed addition to the rotation; this season on a bad Orioles team, he had posted nine wins, a 3.83 ERA and 1.19 WHIP over 96 1/3 innings. Through 275 career appearances and 182 starts, Cashner posted a 55-82 record and 4.00 ERA, playing for the Chicago Cubs (2010-11), San Diego Padres (2012-16), Miami Marlins (2016), Texas Rangers (2017) and Orioles (2018-19).

Instead of donning red pinstripes, Cashner will instead make his Red Sox debut on Tuesday against the Toronto Blue Jays; he is owed nearly $5 million through the end of the 2019 season, and has a $10 million club option for 2020.

Phillies Sign 1B/OF Logan Morrison to Minor League Deal

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By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor

In an effort to bolster their bench options with the second half of the 2019 season underway, the Philadelphia Phillies inked a minor-league pact on Saturday with nine-year MLB veteran 1B/OF Logan Morrison, according to the New York Post's Joel Sherman.

Morrison, 31, will report to Triple-A Lehigh Valley; he requested his release from the New York Yankees on July 4, after failing to be promoted to the big-league club despite posting a .999 OPS and 15 home runs over 43 games at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

The Phillies' signing comes the same day of their announcement that outfielder Jay Bruce will not start on Saturday due to "mild soreness" in both his Achilles tendons. Scott Kingery will start in left field and Roman Quinn in center. With one of the least productive benches in the game, the Phillies will hope Morrison could provide the same spark Bruce did when he was recently acquired from the Seattle Mariners.

Over 959 career games combined with the Florida/Miami Marlins (2010-13), Mariners (2014-15), Tampa Bay Rays (2016-17) and Minnesota Twins (2018), Morrison slashed .239/.325/.427 with 161 doubles, 21 triples, 137 home runs, 421 RBI, 387 walks and 722 strikeouts.

Refreshed Phillies Set to Open 2nd Half Against Strasburg, Nationals

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By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor

Playing in their first game since Sunday following the All-Star Break, the Philadelphia Phillies (47-43) and RHP Nick Pivetta will open their unofficial second half of the season Friday evening opposite RHP Stephen Strasburg and the Washington Nationals (47-42) at Citizens Bank Park. Strasburg is undefeated in 11 career starts at the Phillies' home venue, going 5-0 with a 2.30 ERA.

The Phillies will play each of their next seven games at home through July 18 (three against the Nationals and four against the Major League Baseball-best Los Angeles Dodgers).

Earlier on Friday, the Phillies placed catcher J.T. Realmuto on the paternity leave list and called up catcher Rob Brantly from Triple-A Lehigh Valley. Realmuto will rejoin the Phillies on Saturday. Reliever Pat Neshek was transferred to the 60-day injured list, making up ineligible to return until August 19 at the earliest.

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Starting Pitching Matchup:

Washington Nationals (47-42)			Philadelphia Phillies (47-43)
RHP	Stephen Strasburg		RHP	Nick Pivetta
	(10-4, 3.64 ERA)			(4-3, 5.84 ERA)

Former Phillies Prospect Dealt for Cliff Lee Diagnosed with Leukemia

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By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor

Former Philadelphia Phillies pitching prospect RHP Carlos Carrasco has announced he has been diagnosed with leukemia.

The Phillies dealt Carrasco, now 32, to the Cleveland Indians nearly 10 years ago -- July 29, 2009 -- along with Jason Donald, Lou Marson and minor leaguer Jason Knapp. In return, the Phillies received Cliff Lee and Ben Francisco.

Since debuting with the Indians in 2009, Carrasco has gone 83-68 with a 3.78 ERA and 1.191 WHIP spanning 219 games and 183 starts,. In 2017, the right-hander led the majors with 18 wins, en route to a fourth-place finish in the American League Cy Young Award voting. Also, Carrasco led the majors last season in complete games (2), and also leads this season in shutouts (1).

The Barquisimeto, Venezuela, native has not pitched since the end of May; he was placed on the injured list on June 5 after feeling lethargic for "several weeks." Carrasco underwent tests, which revealed abnormally high plate levels, before being diagnosed with the disease shortly after.

Carrasco's leukemia is "under control," and he intends to return to playing baseball eventually.

We wish Carrasco a healthy and speedy recovery.

Phillies, Pivetta Vie for 1st Road Series Win Against Braves Since 2017

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By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor

Looking to build off their 2-0 series opener victory over the division-leading Atlanta Braves (50-36), the Philadelphia Phillies (45-40) and RHP Nick Pivetta will oppose rookie RHP Bryse Wilson Wednesday evening in the second of a three-game series at SunTrust Park.

RELATED | Bruce, Neris, Nola Lead Phillies Past Braves

With a win, the Phillies would secure their first road series win against the Braves since August 8-9, 2017. The Phillies have won six of their last eight games, all against National League East opponents while outscoring them 54-40.

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Starting Pitching Matchup:

Philadelphia Phillies (45-40)			Atlanta Braves (50-36)
RHP	Nick Pivetta		RHP	Bryse Wilson
	(4-2, 5.63 ERA)			(0-0, 8.31 ERA)

Bruce, Neris, Nola Lead Phillies Past Braves

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By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor

Three Philadelphia Phillies (45-40) players came up large in the club's 2-0 shutout victory over the National League East-leading Atlanta Braves (50-36) in Tuesday's three-game series opener at SunTrust Park — left fielder Jay Bruce, closer Hector Neris, and right-hander Aaron Nola.

Bruce delivered the game's only runs with a two-out, two-run double in the fourth, and Neris struck out all three batters faced in the ninth to secure his 17th save. Most importantly, however, Nola dazzled for his third straight start, tossing eight scoreless innings against the potent Braves offense on a career-high 117 pitches (73 strikes).

We don't make mistakes, just happy little accidents. pic.twitter.com/yRRiN9vca1

— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) July 3, 2019

The Phillies ace scattered eight strikeouts and allowed only three singles, one double, and three walks while inducing 14 swinging strikes.

Nola fittingly outdueled once Phillies free agent target Dallas Keuchel, a two-time All-Star, four-time Gold Glove Award winner, 2015 American League Cy Young Award winner and 2017 World Series champion who recently signed a one-year, $13 million pact with the Braves.

Keuchel made his third start with the Braves and his first career start at SunTrust Park, allowing just the two runs via the Bruce double, five overall hits and two walks while striking out just three Phillies batters. The southpaw is now 1-2 with a 4.08 ERA with the Braves.

The Phillies have now won six of their last eight games, all against National League East opponents while outscoring them 54-40. Nola is now 7-2 with a 3.89 ERA.

Phillies Tab Nola Opposite Keuchel, Braves in 3-Game Series Opener

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By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor

Behind ace RHP Aaron Nola, the Philadelphia Phillies (44-40) will open their second of a three-series, nine-game road trip leading up to the All-Star break Tuesday evening opposite the division-leading Atlanta Braves (50-35) at SunTrust Park. Nola will oppose the Braves' recently signed Dallas Keuchel, a two-time All-Star, four-time Gold Glove Award winner, 2015 American League Cy Young Award winner and 2017 World Series champion.

The Phillies have won five of their last seven games, outscoring opponents 52-40. The club is just 8-14 all-time at SunTrust Park, however, including 1-2 this season (2017: 5-4, 2018: 2-8).

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Starting Pitching Matchup:

Philadelphia Phillies (44-40)			Atlanta Braves (50-35)
RHP	Aaron Nola		LHP	Dallas Keuchel
	(6-2, 4.22 ERA)			(1-1, 5.06 ERA)