Morgan ready for long-awaited MLB debut

PHILADELPHIA -- It took longer than expected, but Phillies left-hander Adam Morgan will make his big league debut Sunday afternoon against the Cardinals at Citizens Bank Park.

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Morgan takes Jerome Williams' spot in the rotation. He is on the disabled list after he strained his left hamstring in Tuesday's 19-3 loss to the Orioles.

"He's been throwing well," Phillies manager Ryne Sandberg said about Morgan. "I think it will be good to add a left-hander in the mix here, and he's been doing a good job. He's done well. Saw him in the spring with what he had, so I'm anxious to see him."

Morgan, whom the Phillies drafted in the third round in 2011, had been on the fast track in Philadelphia's system before he suffered a left shoulder injury in May 2013. He first tried rest and rehab, but he ultimately required surgery in January 2014. If the injury had not happened, it would not have been a surprise to see Morgan in the big leagues in 2013.

That season started with Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee, Cole Hamels, Kyle Kendrick and John Lannan in the rotation. Halladay and Lannan suffered injuries, which allowed Jonathan Pettibone, Tyler Cloyd, Ethan Martin, Zach Miner and Raul Valdes to make a combined 42 starts.

Morgan certainly would have worked his way in there before Cloyd, Martin, Miner and Valdes.

Morgan is 0-6 with a 4.74 ERA in 13 starts with Triple-A Lehigh Valley, but he had a 2.51 ERA in his last three starts.

The Phillies will make room for Morgan on the 25-man roster before Sunday's game.

The team also optioned Hector Neris to Triple-A to add Phillippe Aumont to the roster. Aumont started Friday.