PHILADELPHIA -- The Phillies created an opportunity for Jesen Therrien to make his big league debut Saturday when they traded Pat Neshek to the Rockies on Wednesday, and he took advantage of it. The 24-year-old right-hander pitched a scoreless sixth inning in a 4-3 victory in 11 innings over the Braves at Citizens Bank Park.
"I was just living the moment," Therrien said about his run in from the bullpen. "It was a great feeling, the best feeling. I wasn't nervous. I was just excited and happy. Probably the best feeling I had ever. It was great."
The Phillies could create one or maybe even two more bullpens opportunities before Monday's 4 p.m. ET non-waiver Trade Deadline.
Phillies general manager Matt Klentak said just after midnight Friday, shortly after they announced they traded Jeremy Hellickson to the Orioles, that he has received interest in players still on the roster. One of those players figures to be right-hander Joaquin Benoit, who the is going to be a free agent after the season. The 40-year-old veteran reliever has a 4.07 ERA in 44 appearances this season
"It wouldn't surprise me if this was the last move we made," Klentak said of the Hellickson deal, "but it's not impossible that we'll have another one, as well."
There are more coveted relievers on the market, so it's unlikely Benoit is traded until teams first exhaust those options. But even if Benoit is not dealt by Monday's Deadline, he could be moved before the Aug. 31 deadline for a player to be eligible for the postseason roster.
If Benoit is traded, it likely will open up a spot for right-hander Edubray Ramos or right-hander Ricardo Pinto. Pinto was just optioned to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Tuesday, so he must remain there 10 days unless there is an injury.
Meanwhile, right-hander Pedro Beato left in the eighth inning with a strained left hamstring. The Phillies just added Beato to the 40-man roster on Saturday.
One thing is for sure: Therrien will continue to get a good look. He allowed a leadoff double to Braves shortstop Johan Camargo in the sixth inning and followed that up with a strikeout and two groundouts to end the inning. He got Brandon Phillips for the third out.
"It was amazing to face a guy like Brandon Phillips," Therrien said. "That's why I'm here, to face the best guys in the world. To face him was great."