Tuesday will be a memorable day for some Phillies as they get another shot or a first shot at the big leagues -- that’s right it’s September 1 and that means September call-ups have begun.
Major League teams can expand their rosters from 25 to 40 players for the last month or so of the season. It’s a baseball tradition that allows teams out of the race to evaluate future talent and those teams in the race to add some reinforcements.
Left-handed reliever Jack Taschner was the first name to surface onto the expanded Phillies roster.
The veteran 31-year-old was on the Phightins Opening Day roster and actually made 21 appearances for the Phils going 1-1 with a 5.20 ERA, 17 strikeouts and 20 walks in 27.2 innings of relief.
He was sent down to Triple-A Lehigh Valley in early July. With the IronPigs J-Tasch went 0-2 with two saves and a 2.08 ERA.
The move will add another southpaw to the pen -- an important move considering that Scott Eyre served as the Phillies only real left-handed reliever since J.C. Romero went on the disabled list in July. (Sorry, but as much as we all love Jamie Moyer he is more of a long-relief guy than a situational lefty.)
Expect more call-ups as the day continues and maybe the Phillies will make a splash and bring up one of their coveted young guns (even though top-prospect Michael Taylor is injured) or bring back former September call-ups like Mike Cervenak or Andy Tracy.
And if fans plan on checking out the new (or is it old) Phils Wednesday night be sure to bring a non-perishable Goya food product for the team's Goya Latino Family Celebration Food Drive benefiting Philabundence.
