Philadelphia Phillies

The Philadelphia Phillies are looking to add to their rotation ahead of the Aug. 2 trade deadline, and one AL Central pitcher has piqued their interest.

Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Zach Plesac "is on the radar of the Phillies," according to MLB Network's Jon Heyman.

Plesac, who has a $2 million salary this season, is under team control through the 2025 campaign with three more years of arbitration eligibility before he can become a free agent.

The 27-year-old has spent the first four years of his career with the Guardians and has been a decent mid-rotation pitcher for the franchise. In 18 starts this season, he is 2-8 with a 4.09 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 72 strikeouts in 99 innings.

However, it's unclear if the Guardians are interested in moving the righty this summer. Cleveland is second in the AL Central with a 50-48 record, just two games behind the first-place Minnesota Twins, and could reach the postseason.

Plesac would be a solid addition for the Phillies behind Zack Wheeler and Aaron Nola.

It's no surprise Philadelphia is expressing interest in acquiring another starter ahead of the deadline as Zach Eflin is on the 15-day injured list with a right knee injury, and there's uncertainty about when he might return to the rotation.

In addition, it seems unlikely that the Phillies will exercise their half of a $15 million mutual option on Eflin for the 2023 season and could also lose Kyle Gibson in free agency. Adding Plesac, who has good terms on his deal, would be an attractive option.

The Phillies are third in the NL East with a 52-47 record and sit 9.5 games behind the first-place New York Mets. According to FanGraphs, the club currently has a 51.9 percent chance to make the playoffs, so it would make sense that they intend to buy at the deadline.

Philadelphia Phillies designated hitter/outfielder Bryce Harper is reportedly set to meet his surgeon next week with the "hope" he can remove the pins in his left thumb, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post.

He underwent surgery on his thumb on June 29 with an expected recovery timeline of six-to-eight weeks.

Harper, 29, is a six-time All-Star and two-time National League MVP who has played 11 big league seasons for the Washington Nationals and Phils.

He's played 64 games for Philadelphia in 2022, posting a .318 batting average, a .385 on-base percentage and a .985 OPS alongside 15 home runs and 48 RBI.

He has been out since June 25 when he was hit by a pitch from San Diego Padres southpaw Blake Snell and suffered a fractured left thumb. Harper had already been playing with a small tear in the UCL of his right elbow, limiting him to designated hitter duties.

The Phils already have a pair of mainstays to put in their outfield and DH spots with newcomers Kyle Schwarber and Nick Castellanos. Other options include Odubel Herrera, Mickey Moniak, Matt Vierling and Derek Hall.

However, Harper is this team's most valuable player, and his production can't be replicated as the Phils look for their first playoff appearance since 2011.

The Philadelphia Phillies selected Justin Crawford with the No. 17 overall pick in the 2022 MLB draft on Sunday.

Crawford is a 6'3", 175-pound outfielder who attends Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas. He bats left-handed and throws right-handed.

The LSU commit is the son of former outfielder Carl Crawford, a four-time All-Star who played 15 big league seasons and led the American League in steals on four occasions.

Crawford is also one of numerous sons of former big leaguers who will get drafted. Others include Druw Jones (son of Andruw Jones) and Jackson Holliday (son of Matt Holliday).

MLB.com ranks the younger Crawford 13th on this year's list of available draft prospects.

A portion of MLB.com's scouting report is below.

"Anyone who remembers watching his dad play should not be surprised that Crawford is one of the better athletes in this class. He regularly records easily plus run times and that near-elite speed will allow him to be a threat on the bases and cover a ton of ground in the outfield. At the plate, the left-handed hitter has very good bat-to-ball skills, showing the ability to make adjustments. He's more of a slap hitter now, content to let his legs do the work, but there's some whip in his swing and he can sit back and drive the ball the other way, with added strength to help him in the power department in the future."

MLB.com also notably gave Crawford an astounding 70 grade out of 80 for running.

Per MaxPreps, Crawford hit .503 (.562 OBP) with 77 hits, 52 RBI and 60 runs for his senior season at Bishop Gorman.

He has tremendous potential at the next level, and it wouldn't be a surprise to see him lighting up the big leagues after some work in the minors.

Philadelphia Phillies slugger Kyle Schwarber will officially join the 2022 Home Run Derby:

The outfielder is the latest to join the field on July 18 alongside Pete Alonso, Ronald Acuna Jr., Albert Pujols and Juan Soto.

Schwarber entered Tuesday with 28 home runs, which leads the National League and only trails Aaron Judge for the most in the majors.

The 29-year-old had a slow start to his first season in Philadelphia, totaling just 11 home runs through the end of May. He got red-hot in June with 12 home runs in the month, adding five more in 10 games in July.

After producing a .721 OPS through May 31, Schwarber has a 1.022 OPS in 37 games since.

The former Chicago Cubs player hit 38 home runs in 2019, but he is now on pace to obliterate his career-high.

Schwarber will try to use this success to fuel him Monday in Los Angeles.

The outfielder has participated in the Home Run Derby just once in his career, but he made the finals in 2018 after winning head-to-head battles against Alex Bregman and Rhys Hoskins. He eventually lost to future teammate Bryce Harper.

Alonso might still be the one to beat, considering the New York Mets first baseman has won each of the last two competitions.

Kansas City Royals outfielder Andrew Benintendi is reportedly a potential target if the Philadelphia Phillies dip in to the trade market to help replace Bryce Harper, who's out indefinitely after suffering a broken left thumb on Saturday.

Jon Morosi of MLB Network reported Wednesday that Benintendi is a "name to watch" given the limited financial impact of his expiring contract and his connection to Phillies president Dave Dombrowski after four years together with the Boston Red Sox.

A single trade isn't going to fill the massive void left by Harper. The reigning National League MVP was putting together another terrific season with a .318/.385/.599 slash line, 15 home runs and nine stolen bases through 64 games before the injury.

That said, Benintendi could provide a stabilizing force for a Phillies lineup that lacks depth.

The 27-year-old Cincinnati native posted his best season with the World Series-winning Red Sox in 2018 when he compiled a .830 OPS with 16 homers and 21 steals in 148 games en route to a 5.0 WAR, per FanGraphs.

He's lacked that type of all-around production with the Royals this season, tallying just three long balls and one swipe in 72 appearances, but he's maintained a .303 average and .368 on-base percentage.

Benintendi could slot in nicely in the second spot in the Philly order behind leadoff hitter Kyle Schwarber (.344 OBP) to give the club a pair consistent on-base threats ahead of Rhys Hoskins and J.T. Realmuto.

The 2021 Gold Glove Award winner may also be available at a reasonable cost since he's set to become a free agent at season's end and the Royals are already fading from playoff contention with a 26-47 record.

Philadelphia is in the thick of the playoff race as the campaign approaches the halfway mark with a 39-36 record, which is third in the NL East and three games behind the final wild-card spot.

The goal is trying to remain within striking distance of a postseason berth with the hope Harper can return at some point in the second half for a late-season charge.

Benintendi would help in that quest, though trying to find another power bat would still remain on the Phils' to-do list ahead of the Aug. 2 MLB trade deadline.

Philadelphia Phillies star Bryce Harper has been placed on the injured list after suffering a fractured left thumb during Saturday's game against the San Diego Padres.

Harper suffered the injury after being hit by a pitch in the top of the fourth inning.

Harper was in a lot of pain after being hit and appeared to take his frustration out on Padres pitcher Blake Snell.

Harper has dealt with an elbow injury that has limited him to DH duties since mid-April. A blister on his left hand briefly took him out of the lineup in mid-June.

Nonetheless, the 2021 National League MVP hasn't seen his performance dip compared to last season. Through 63 games, he has 15 home runs, 48 RBI and a .320/.385/.602 slash line.

Albert Pujols is the last back-to-back MVP winner in the NL in 2009, so history isn't on Harper's side in his quest for more hardware. The 29-year-old is at least putting himself in the MVP discussion, though.

The Phillies fired manager Joe Girardi in June after getting off to a disappointing 22-29 start. Their fortunes immediately turned around, and they now sit third in the NL East at 37-35.

The offseason additions of Kyle Schwarber and Nick Castellanos have done little to lessen Philadelphia's reliance on Harper. The top half of the order is shouldering a heavy burden for the offense, and now the lineup will become even more top-heavy if Harper misses extended time.

Playoff expansion has widened the margin for error for contending teams during the regular season, but there's no question the Phillies need Harper to remain healthy as they seek to earn a postseason berth.

Nine years after going No. 1 overall in the MLB draft, Mark Appel is finally set for his Major League Baseball debut.

According to ESPN, the Philadelphia Phillies called Appel up to the big leagues Saturday after placing reliever Connor Brogdon on the COVID-19 list.

The 30-year-old Appel tweeted the following about the landmark moment:

Since the Houston Astros made him the first pick in the 2013 draft, Appel has toiled in the minors and was even out of baseball for three years from 2018 through 2020 because of labrum and rotator cuff injuries.

As a collegiate pitcher, Appel was a dominant force, going 26-13 with a 2.57 ERA and 9.2 strikeouts per nine innings in three seasons at Stanford.

The Pittsburgh Pirates selected Appel eighth overall in the 2012 MLB draft, but he went back to school for one more year and saw his stock rise to the point that Houston took him first overall in the following draft.

What ensued was a minor league career full of poor play and injuries.

Appel played at every level of the minor leagues for the Astros from 2013 to 2015 before getting traded to the Phillies organization prior to the 2016 season.

After two seasons as a Phillies minor leaguer, Appel took a lengthy break from baseball and it seemed as though his dream of playing in the majors was over, but he decided to give it one more shot in 2021 when he rejoined the organization.

It was a rocky return for Appel, who went 3-6 with a 6.06 ERA in 23 appearances, including 15 starts, for the Phillies' Double-A and Triple-A teams last season.

Despite coming up as a starter, Appel focused only on being a reliever this season, and the decision has paid dividends.

In 19 games for the Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs, Appel is 5-0 with a 1.61 ERA, 0.92 WHIP, five saves and 24 strikeouts over 28 innings.

While success has been fleeting for much of his pro career, there is no question that Appel has earned the promotion with his play this season.

The call-up comes at a perfect time as well since the Phillies recently demoted closer Corey Knebel amid a rough patch and have not named a definitive replacement, meaning there is a chance Appel could put himself in the conversation for saves.

Appel's first potential opportunity to pitch in the majors will come Saturday night when the Phillies face the San Diego Padres on the road starting at 10:10 p.m. ET.

Philadelphia Phillies star Bryce Harper will miss Saturday's matchup against the Washington Nationals because of an infected blister on his left hand, per Scott Lauber of the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Per that report, Harper is taking antibiotics to treat the infection.

This is minor setback for Harper after Matt Breen of the Philadelphia Inquirer reported in May the slugger was not expected to play right field prior to July's All-Star break. He had a platelet-rich plasma injection in his right elbow and was informed not to throw for six weeks.

Harper underwent the injection because he suffered a small tear in the ulnar collateral ligament of his elbow.

He played designated hitter for the Phillies instead of the outfield as a result.

Harper is one of the best players of his generation and entered the 2022 campaign with a resume that includes two National League MVPs, an NL Rookie of the Year, six All-Star selections and two Silver Sluggers.

The reigning NL MVP is slashing .326/.391/.622 with 15 home runs and 48 RBI this season.

The Chicago Cubs and Philadelphia Phillies have gotten off to tough starts in the 2022 season, but help could be coming over the winter.

An MLB general manager told Bob Nightengale of USA Today they expect both teams to be major suitors for a strong crop of free-agent shortstops that likely will include Trea Turner, Carlos Correa and Xander Bogaerts (the latter two have opt-out clauses).

"I guarantee you they’re going to get one of them," the GM said of the Cubs.

The 23-31 Cubs have been utilizing the 25-year-old Nico Hoerner at shortstop, and while he's been solid (.290 with three homers and 16 RBI), he could also be bumped to second base if the team brings in an elite option at the position.

The 24-29 Phillies, meanwhile, have relied on Didi Gregorius (.288 with seven RBI) when healthy and Johan Camargo (.246 with three homers and 15 RBI) when Gregorius has been unavailable because of injuries. But the team could clearly use both an offensive and defensive upgrade at the position, even if a woeful bullpen is the team's biggest weakness.

Turner, Correa and Bogaerts should have a vibrant market, meanwhile.

Turner, 28, was an All-Star in 2021 after hitting .328 with 28 homers, 77 RBI, 107 runs, 195 hits and 32 stolen bases between the Washington Nationals and Los Angeles Dodgers. He's one of the more dangerous offensive weapons in baseball, especially if his added power last season wasn't simply an outlier but a trend going forward.

Correa, 27, is a two-time All-Star, a champion, a Gold Glove winner and was the 2015 AL Rookie of the Year. He perhaps didn't receive the market he was hoping for ahead of this season, ultimately signing a three-year, $105.3 million deal with the Minnesota Twins that included player options for 2023 and 2024.

He seems likely to test that market again in pursuit of a long-term deal.

Finally, the 29-year-old Bogaerts is a three-time All-Star, four-time Silver Slugger award winner a and two-time champion, and it would be somewhat shocking to see the Red Sox let him walk.

But Boston has hardly bent over backward to keep its own stars in place after trading Mookie Betts to the Dodgers, and this offseason's signing of Trevor Story perhaps foreshadowed Boston's willingness to part ways with Bogaerts, especially with a long-term extension looming for 25-year-old superstar Rafael Devers.