Phillies may use six-man rotation in September
Team wants to get more looks at young arms in organization
PHILADELPHIA -- The Phillies want to see more Aaron Nola, Adam Morgan and Jerad Eickhoff in their rotation before the end of the season.
They might want to see Triple-A right-hander Alec Asher, too.
So where does that leave veteran right-hander Jerome Williams, who allowed five runs in 5 1/3 innings in Tuesday night's 6-5 loss to the Mets at Citizens Bank Park? That remains to be seen. He could be bumped if the Phillies decide they want to see Asher or another prospect in September. Or he could remain, if the Phillies decide to use a six-man rotation.
Video: PHI@MIA: Eickhoff goes six scoreless innings in debut
"You're always auditioning," Phillies interim manager Pete Mackanin said before the game. "It's a big start for everybody the rest of the year because we're looking forward to next year and trying to decide who's going to stay and who's going to go. So every start from here on out is important."
Video: TOR@PHI: Morgan twirls seven frames of two-run ball
"I have no control over that," Williams said afterward. "All I want to try to do is go out there and pitch, leave it all out there on the field."
The Phillies acquired Asher from Texas in the Cole Hamels trade. He is 2-0 with a 2.08 ERA in four starts with the IronPigs.
Video: Top Prospects: Alec Asher, RHP, Phillies
"There's a lot of things that we've discussed," Mackanin said. "Who do we want to call up, all those kinds of questions are mulling around right now. I'm sure some things will probably change. I don't know what, but we're going to have to wait until we get closer to that time and make the decision and then I'll have a better answer for you."
Williams dropped to 4-10 with a 6.13 ERA.
Video: NYM@PHI: Williams strikes out Cespedes to end frame
"I think he's got to continue to earn the spot," Mackanin said about Williams. "I haven't talked to Ruben [Amaro Jr.] about it. I don't know what his thinking is. I know one thing, we have to limit innings for Nola and I guess Eickhoff and Morgan because of his shoulder issues that he's had over the last few years. That being the case, that's when the possible six-man rotation came up, just throwing out ideas. If that's the case, maybe things won't change. There might be an addition."