Phillies land starter, continue to retool Triple-A roster

Nick Nelson was designated for assignment by the Phillies. (Cheryl Pursell)

The Phillies continued to retool their 40-man and Triple-A rosters over the weekend, claiming right-hander Kyle Tyler off waivers from the Miami Marlins on Sunday.

The starting pitcher was added to the 40-man roster and optioned to Triple-A Lehigh Valley. Reliever Nick Nelson was designated for assignment to make room for Tyler’s addition.

Nelson was the long man in Philadelphia in 2022, as he paced the Phillies’ bullpen with 68 2/3 innings, but the right-hander has spent most of the past two seasons with the IronPigs. Tyler, 27, had a 5.40 ERA in eight appearances (seven starts) for the Marlins but provides depth for a Phillies rotation and a team that has dealt with some question marks and injuries so far in the second half. He has a 4.31 ERA in 15 career appearances dating back to 2021 with the Angels, Padres and Marlins.

Left-hander Kolby Allard had spent three weeks in the Phillies’ rotation and had done a passable job, but he was optioned to Triple-A on Friday with the expectation that Taijuan Walker (finger inflammation) will return to Philadelphia on Tuesday. He and Tyler appear to be the most likely options for a starter who can be called up from Triple-A if needed in the near future. Allard will report to Lehigh Valley on Monday, the IronPigs said.

Reliever Max Lazar, who signed a minor league contract last winter and started the year in Double-A, was selected and promoted to the majors in place of Allard, and outfielder Cal Stevenson was selected by the Phillies to replace injured left fielder Austin Hays (hamstring strain). Both played for the Phillies over the weekend.

First baseman Darick Hall and right-hander Max Castillo were designated for assignment to create room on the 40-man roster for Lazar and Stevenson. Both players cleared waivers and were optioned to Lehigh Valley on Sunday. IronPigs infielder Nick Podkul and left-hander Taylor Lehman were released by the Phillies.