Lorenzen not on NL Wild Card roster as Phils opt for extra RH bat

October 3rd, 2023

PHILADELPHIA -- The Phillies will carry 12 pitchers and an extra right-handed bat to counter Miami's left-heavy pitching staff in the National League Wild Card Series.

The team announced its 26-man roster on Tuesday morning ahead of Game 1 at Citizens Bank Park. Right-hander Michael Lorenzen did not make the roster because the Phillies do not believe they will need 13 pitchers in a best-of-three series. Lorenzen threw a no-hitter in his second start for Philadelphia on Aug. 9, following his arrival from Detroit on Aug. 1. He had a 7.96 ERA in his next five starts before the Phils moved him to the bullpen.

“I could tell that he was disappointed,” Phillies manager Rob Thomson said. “But that doesn’t mean he won’t be in the next round, if we get there.”

The Phillies added infielder/outfielder Weston Wilson to the bench. The Marlins will start a left-hander in the first two games of the series. Miami will have five left-handed relievers, including Ryan Weathers.

Cristian Pache will start against lefties Jesus Luzardo and Braxton Garrett in Games 1 and 2, leaving Brandon Marsh to start against right-hander Edward Cabrera in Game 3 (if necessary) on Thursday night. Marsh could pinch-hit for Pache or Johan Rojas in the first two games, if the Phillies face a righty reliever.

“They’re going to use [David] Robertson at some point,” Thomson said about Marsh’s role in the series. “They’re going to have to use a couple of their righties at some point. That’s where he comes into play, and obviously Game 3 if it’s Cabrera.”

Conversely, it will not be a surprise to see Wilson pinch-hit for Marsh in Game 3, if Marsh is slated to face a lefty reliever. Outfielder Jake Cave would then replace Wilson in the outfield.

If Wilson is a two-player move -- he pinch-hits, then somebody replaces him defensively -- it might mean the Phillies are more open to having Rhys Hoskins making the World Series roster, if they get there. They already have said if Hoskins returns, he will only pinch-hit or DH and will not play in the field.

Here is the roster

Pitchers (12): Left-handers José Alvarado, Cristopher Sánchez, Gregory Soto, Matt Strahm and Ranger Suárez. Right-handers Seranthony Domínguez, Jeff Hoffman, Orion Kerkering, Craig Kimbrel, Aaron Nola, Taijuan Walker and Zack Wheeler.

Catchers (2): J.T. Realmuto and Garrett Stubbs.

Infielders (6): Alec Bohm, Bryce Harper, Edmundo Sosa, Bryson Stott, Trea Turner and Weston Wilson.

Outfielders (6): Nick Castellanos, Jake Cave, Brandon Marsh, Cristian Pache, Johan Rojas and Kyle Schwarber.