Philadelphia Phillies

Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Odubel Herrera has received an 85-game suspension from MLB for domestic violence allegations.

He will not appeal, per an MLB release on the suspension.

The Phillies placed Herrera on administrative leave in late May while MLB investigated the situation. He last played May 26 in a loss to the Milwaukee Brewers.

The Atlantic City Police Department released a statement May 28 saying Herrera was arrested May 27 and stating his 20-year-old girlfriend, Melany Martinez-Angulo, was found with "visible signs of injury to her arms and neck that was sustained after being assaulted by her boyfriend," identified as Herrera.

On Wednesday, TMZ Sports reported prosecutors agreed to drop a simple assault charge if the 27-year-old Venezuela native completed an anger management course, as Martinez-Angulo didn't want to press charges. The charge carried the potential for six months in jail and a $1,000 fine.

Phillies pitcher Odubel Herrera and his girlfriend leave Atlantic City Municipal court hand in hand after she declined to press charges that he assaulted her in a casino. He will get counseling for 60 days. pic.twitter.com/5FYPyWulJM

— Amy S. Rosenberg (@amysrosenberg) July 3, 2019

The Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Policy in the MLB collective bargaining agreement gives Commissioner Rob Manfred the ability to hand out a suspension for "just cause."

https://twitter.com/keithlaw/status/1147282446498631687

The Phillies have 75 regular-season games remaining, which means Herrera will also miss the first 10 games of the 2020 campaign. He's ineligible for the 2019 playoffs should Philly qualify.

His five-year, $30.5 million contract keeps him under team control through 2023 with the final two seasons being club options.

Philadelphia Phillies star Bryce Harper accomplished a pair of milestones with one swing in Wednesday's game against the Atlanta Braves:

1000 hits.
200 homers.
2 milestones.
1 swing. pic.twitter.com/fmMB36Jxj0

— MLB (@MLB) July 4, 2019

He entered the day with 999 hits and 199 home runs but added to both marks with his solo home run in the sixth inning.

Per Scott Lauber of the Philadelphia Inquirer, he's the first player ever to get his 1,000th hit with his 200th home run.

Harper has already put together an impressive career to this point, earning six All-Star selections in his first seven years plus one MVP award. Considering he won't turn 27 until October, he appears to be on pace for Hall of Fame milestones such as 3,000 hits and 500 home runs.

Although he has struggled with consistency in his first season with the Phillies, he'll have plenty of time to get back into a groove after signing a 13-year, $330 million deal in the offseason.

It finally happened. 

Prior to Friday night's Philadelphia Phillies game at Citizens Bank Park, Rob McElhenney had a catch with former Phillies second baseman Chase Utley. 

Utley, whom the Phillies honored with a retirement ceremony prior to the game, tossed the ceremonial first pitch to McElhenney, who famously portrays Mac in It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia.

Mac finally had his catch with Chase Utley.

Dreams really do come true. pic.twitter.com/k10Zm9PM7i

— Cut4 (@Cut4) June 21, 2019

The moment had been building since a 2009 episode of It's Always Sunny. In it, Mac writes a love letter to Utley and urges Dee to deliver it to him. "I feel like I can call you Chase because you and me are so much alike," the letter read. "I would love to meet you someday. It would be great to have a catch."

Utley previously acknowledged Mac's letter in 2013:

The 42-year-old actor and Philly native has played up the bit ever since, like in this March tweet sent to Bryce Harper:

Hey Bryce- i feel like i can call you Bryce because we are so much alike. Wanna have a catch? https://t.co/DzZQbzfk8r

— Rob McElhenney (@RMcElhenney) March 11, 2019

Utley played the first 12-plus seasons of his career for the Phillies, winning the 2008 World Series and earning six All-Star selections.

It's time for Bryce Harper to earn his keep.

The Philadelphia Phillies star hasn't been terrible in his first season since he ditched the Washington Nationals for greener pastures in southeastern Pennsylvania, but he hasn't come close to the $330 million man the Phils paid for.

Entering play Tuesday, the Phillies were 39-32, three games behind the Atlanta Braves in the National League East. They're in the postseason chase but not a shoo-in to charge deep into October.

They rank 16th in runs (346), 18th in OPS (.740) and 23rd in home runs (86). Harper isn't adding enough considering how much he's getting paid.

The 26-year-old is hitting .247 with 12 home runs. His .820 OPS is decent but only third on the team among players with at least 200 at-bats, behind Rhys Hoskins' .917 OPS and Andrew McCutchen's .834. Hoskins is earning $575,000 in 2019. McCutchen is out for the year with an ACL injury.

Harper, on the other hand, is the high-priced hired gun for whom the Phillies opened their checkbook. He should carry the offense.

In June, he's slashing .245/.322/.396 with 15 strikeouts next to four extra-base hits.

He's heard it from the fanbase's infamous boo birds as far back as late March. He's experienced the less-than-loving side of the City of Brotherly Love.

"I'd do the same thing," Harper told reporters at the time. "It's not fun to lose, not fun to watch when you're playing that way."

Again, the Phillies aren't sunk. They'd be a wild-card entrant if the season ended Tuesday. But if they want to join the top tier of the Senior Circuit—the Los Angeles Dodgers, Milwaukee Brewers, Chicago Cubs and Braves—they need Harper to be The Man.

Presently, FanGraphs projects the Dodgers to win 101 games, the Braves to win 91, the Cubs 89, the Brewers 86 and the Phillies 84.

Every club has its flaws, but the Philadelphia offense is blatantly deficient. Each also has a star to carry it: Cody Bellinger, Freddie Freeman, Kris Bryant and Christian Yelich. For the Phils, Harper is said star.

Harper has always been a mercurial player, prone to peaks and valleys. By the conclusion of his age-22 campaign in 2015, he'd won NL Rookie of the Year honors, made three All-Star teams and stashed an MVP trophy in his case.

He's received three All-Star nods since then and enjoyed a few iconic moments, including an epic showing at the Home Run Derby in Washington, D.C., in 2018.

He's also struggled with injuries and inconsistency. Despite a Hall of Fame skill set, he's never been to the World Series, let alone won it, and has eclipsed 150 games just twice (in 2015 and 2018).

The Phillies need to buttress a bullpen that ranks 18th in the game with a 4.62 ERA. They lack a postseason-tested ace outside Jake Arrieta and his 5.03 FIP. There are reasons other than Harper why they aren't Fall Classic favorites.

Still, with great money comes great responsibility. The Phillies' big-ticket addition needs to act like, well...a big ticket.

Barry Svrluga of the Washington Post spelled it out Monday:

"I believed the Nationals should have made every effort to re-sign Harper over the past offseason not only because of what he had done for this franchise—giving the Nats a marketable face-of-the-sport figure for the seven seasons he played here—but for what was ahead, which I figured were Harper's best years. ...

"There are alarming indicators. Harper's strikeout rate ... is 29.4 percent, which is not only the highest of his career but is the sixth-highest in the majors. Similarly, Harper's swing-and-miss rate ... is 32.1 percent, nearly one in every three swings, which is also the highest of his career and is the seventh-worst in the majors this season."

He's whiffing. He's getting beat. He's incapable, so far, of putting his new team on his shoulders.

Or, as Phillies skipper Gabe Kapler diplomatically phrased it, per Svrluga, "He's been on a slow trajectory to get to the right spot."

Talk about damning with faint praise.

Is it too late for Harper to shift into superstar overdrive? Of course not. But as we sprint past the mid-June marker, time is running out. The pressure will increase. The boo birds will chirp.

Here's the bottom line: It's time for Harper to earn his keep.

   

All statistics accurate as of Tuesday and courtesy of Baseball Reference unless otherwise noted.

Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Andrew McCutchen suffered a torn ACL in Monday's 8-2 loss to the San Diego Padres, per The Athletic's Matt Gelb.

McCutchen will miss the remainder of the 2019 MLB season as a result of the injury. He had appeared in 59 games, batting .256 and slugging .457 with 10 home runs and 29 RBI.

McCutchen said the injury "sucks" and that he's aiming for a return in time for Opening Day next season, per Gelb.

The Phillies announced they placed him on the 10-day injured list with a "left anterior cruciate ligament injury."

In the first inning of Monday's game, McCutchen got caught in a rundown between first and second base. He pulled up while running back to first and immediately grabbed his left knee.

Andrew McCutchen has exited today's game with an injury and had to be helped off the field. pic.twitter.com/bAy1yQ85uH

— NBC Sports Philadelphia (@NBCSPhilly) June 4, 2019

Concern for the five-time All-Star grew when he posted this cryptic tweet after the game:

Pray for me. Please

— Andrew McCutchen (@TheCUTCH22) June 4, 2019

MLB.com's Paul Casella noted the injury ends an impressive run of durability for McCutchen. Since becoming a full-time MLB regular in 2010, he had never missed more than 16 games in a season.

When the move went through, some questioned whether the Phillies' acquisition of Jay Bruce from the Seattle Mariners was a luxury addition. Now, having Bruce somewhat softens the blow of McCutchen's injury, though the Phillies were without a natural replacement in center field.

Philadelphia called up Adam Haseley to take McCutchen's spot on the 25-man roster. Phillies manager Gabe Kapler said the rookie "is going to have a chance to play regularly," per Gelb.

The eighth overall pick in the 2017 draft, Haseley sits third in MLB.com's ranking of the Phillies' top 30 prospects. The 23-year-old appeared in only six Triple-A games before getting the call to the majors. 

Although Philadelphia likely views Haseley as a key piece of their outfield in the future, McCutchen was third on the team in WAR (1.7), per FanGraphs. Considering they have title aspirations in 2019, the Phillies might have to turn to the trade market again in order to properly fill the void created by his absence.

The Philadelphia Phillies' Andrew McCutchen left Monday's game against the San Diego Padres after spraining his left knee, according to manager Gabe Kapler.

Andrew McCutchen has exited today's game with an injury and had to be helped off the field. pic.twitter.com/bAy1yQ85uH

— NBC Sports Philadelphia (@NBCSPhilly) June 4, 2019

Kapler told reporters McCutchen will have an MRI, while the outfielder took to Twitter to comment on the injury:

Pray for me. Please

— Andrew McCutchen (@TheCUTCH22) June 4, 2019

Injuries are not something the outfielder has had to deal with for the majority of his career. He suffered a left elbow contusion in May 2018 after being hit by a pitch, but X-rays came back negative. He was placed on the disabled list with a fractured rib in 2014 but only missed 15 days.

Durability has always been a strength of his, as he has averaged 155 games over the past nine seasons.

McCutchen spent the first nine seasons of his career with the Pittsburgh Pirates, earning five All-Star nods and winning the 2013 National League MVP award. But as the Pirates went into rebuild mode and the Giants needed outfield help, he found himself changing uniforms this past offseason.

In his first season outside of Pittsburgh, McCutchen hit .255/.368/.424 with 20 home runs, 30 doubles and 65 RBI between the San Francisco Giants and the New York Yankees in 2018. 

The 32-year-old is hitting .256/.375/.457 with 10 home runs and 29 RBI in 58 games this season heading into Monday.

The five-time All-Star inked a three-year, $50 million contract during the offseason with Philadelphia.

McCutchen was just one of a handful of move made by the Phillies in the offseason as they look to end a seven-year playoff drought. Along with McCutchen, Philadelphia added 2015 NL MVP Bryce Harper, shortstop Jean Segura and catcher J.T. Realmuto.

Newly acquired outfielder Jay Bruce replaced McCutchen and will likely see plenty of ABs if McCutchen ends up missing time.

Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Odubel Herrera has had his administrative leave extended to June 17, according to Major League Baseball. 

Herrera was placed on leave last week after he was arrested in Atlantic City on May 27 and charged with simple assault and knowingly causing bodily injury. According to the police report obtained by Amy S. Rosenberg of the Philadelphia Inquirer, "Herrera left 'hand print markings' on his girlfriend's neck and 'small scratches' to her arms."

The police report also noted that Herrera "attempt[ed] to cause bodily injury" to his girlfriend and "assault[ed] the victim during a domestic violence physical dispute."

Herrera pleaded not guilty.

Under the collective bargaining agreement, MLB commissioner Rob Manfred has the right to put players on one week of paid leave while he and the league office investigate any legal charges or potential violations of league policy.

That leave can also be extended and can result in a suspension, depending on the findings from the league office. Herrera's extended leave will take him to his court date on June 17 at the Atlantic City Municipal Court.

The 27-year-old has appeared in 631 games for the Phillies in the past five seasons, serving as the team's starting centerfielder for the majority of the 2019 season. 

The Philadelphia Phillies announced that they officially completed a trade with the Seattle Mariners for veteran outfielder Jay Bruce on Sunday while sending prospect Jake Scheiner and cash considerations back to Seattle.

Greg Johns of MLB.com first reported the news. 

ESPN's Jeff Passan reported on June 1 that the Phillies were nearing a deal to land Bruce and expected the acquisition to go through within 24 hours. "The sides have talked about Bruce, Seattle is willing to deal him and Philadelphia needs a bench bat. No trade agreed to, however," Passan reported. 

The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal followed up Passan's initial report later June 1, noting that the trade was "nearing completion" and pending a medical review. "Once completed, Mariners will net cash savings and receive a minor leaguer in return."

The Phillies' interest in an outfielder comes after All-Star center fielder Odubel Herrera was arrested earlier in the week on a simple assault charge associated with domestic violence against his girlfriend. He was then placed on administrative leave by the league. 

However, according to The Athletic's Matt Gelb, the team's interest in Bruce specifically dates back to his seasons with the New York Mets. 

A source confirms @JeffPassan: The Phillies are on the verge of acquiring Jay Bruce from Seattle. He'll likely fill a bench role, but he's an option in LF. Phillies will take on most of the contract. He's owed $14 million in 2020.

— Matt Gelb (@MattGelb) June 1, 2019

Bruce was a first-round draft pick by the Cincinnati Reds in 2005. The 32-year-old played for the Reds from 2008 until he was traded to the Mets in Aug. 2016. He is a two-time All-Star and three-time Silver Slugger. 

This season, his first in Seattle, Bruce has appeared in 47 games and is batting .212 with 14 home runs.

Phillies are close to acquiring left-handed power bat they wanted with Jay Bruce coming from Seattle, according to @JeffPassan

He has 14 HR’s, that would lead Phillies right now 👍🏼 pic.twitter.com/QDKSGtlNkD

— John Clark (@JClarkNBCS) June 1, 2019

Bruce has primarily played in right field for Seattle. The Phillies' right field is occupied by MVP Bryce Harper, which most likely means Bruce will enter the outfield rotation alongside Andrew McCutchen, Scott Kingery and Nick Williams. 

Jay Bruce could be on the move once again as the Philadelphia Phillies are "nearing completion" on trade talks regarding Seattle Mariners outfielder Jay Bruce, per Ken Rosenthal of ESPN:

Jay Bruce to #Phillies is nearing completion, sources tell The Athletic. Deal is pending a review of Bruce’s medicals and other final details. Once completed, #Mariners will net cash savings and receive a minor leaguer in return.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) June 2, 2019

Previously, Jeff Passan of ESPN reported the Phillies were "nearing a deal" to acquire the Mariners outfielder.

Seattle first traded for Bruce in December as part of a seven-player deal that sent Robinson Cano and Edwin Diaz to the New York Mets.

If a move is completed, it would be the fourth time Bruce has been traded since 2016 after he spent his first nine years with the Cincinnati Reds.

The 32-year-old has showcased his power this season, totaling 14 home runs in 47 games. His hitting has been inconsistent with just a .212 batting average, but his .533 slugging percentage proves the type of production he can bring to a lineup.

He has also expanded his defensive versatility, playing right field, left field and first base this season.

Considering Philadelphia ranks just 23rd in the majors in home runs despite playing in a hitter-friendly park, this team could use some reinforcements offensively. Even if he doesn't play every day, Bruce can provide some much-needed depth.

The biggest question mark could be his salary, as he is owed $14 million this season and $14 million in 2020 before he hits free agency.

With the Mariners in last place in the AL West, it makes sense for them to clear salary and potentially get some assets in return. However, the Phillies have to decide whether this cost is worth it for the playoff contenders.

Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Odubel Herrera was arrested and charged with simple assault after allegedly injuring his girlfriend Monday night, according to CBS Philly.

In the report, police said Herrera's 20-year-old girlfriend "had visible signs of injury to her arms and neck that was sustained after being assaulted by her boyfriend, David Odubel Herrera, during a dispute."

Herrera was arrested at the Golden Nugget Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey, after police were called following the alleged assault. According to the report, Herrera was "released on a summons with a future court date."

The woman refused medical attention.

Here is the police report for the Odubel Herrera domestic incident. @FOX29philly pic.twitter.com/xK2tiG1fyH

— Kristen Rodgers (@KristenERodgers) May 28, 2019

Herrera has been placed on paid administrative leave by commissioner Rob Manfred under the MLB-MLBPA domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse policy:

Odubel Herrera has been placed on administrative leave.

Here is the statement from the Phillies: pic.twitter.com/Ofvmka65Mv

— Kristen Rodgers (@KristenERodgers) May 28, 2019

Phillies general manager Matt Klentak said he is working with the league to have Herrera taken off the All-Star ballot that was released earlier Tuesday, according to Matt Gelb of The Athletic.

Herrera, 27, has spent his entire five-year career with the Phillies. He opened the season as the team's starting center fielder, though he has recently ceded playing time to Scott Kingery.