3 Phillies players who could sneak onto the Opening Day roster
By Tim Boyle
2) Phillies news: How Michael Plassmeyer can sneak onto the Opening Day roster
Michael Plassmeyer enters the spring picture as a contender for the fifth spot in the rotation. It’s Bailey Falter’s job to lose. Plassmeyer, who came over from the San Francisco Giants in a trade last June, will at least look to make himself an option for Rob Thomson. At the very least, if Falter falters, he’ll want to be the best option for the Phillies to turn to.
The 26-year-old lefty gave the Phillies 7.1 innings last season while pitching to a 3.68 ERA. He has bounced around a lot for a guy without much major league experience. Time spent on the farm with the Seattle Mariners, Tampa Bay Rays, San Francisco Giants, and now Phillies all since 2018 means the one thing he never does is unpack.
Plassmeyer should be viewed as starting pitcher depth for the Phillies. However, he’s also a guy the team could even consider for the Opening Day roster as their long man.
Nick Nelson is the man we should plan to see in the bullpen for those innings. It doesn’t much matter which arm your mop-up guy throws with. Nelson, a righty, wasn’t impressive enough last season to have his job secured. Plassmeyer may be able to overtake him a little more easily than Falter.
Even if Plassmeyer making the Opening Day roster means the Phillies are carrying four lefty relievers, it could be helpful to see what he does at the major league level. Although not yet presently on the 40-man roster, the Phillies should have Andrew Painter, Griff McGarry, and Mick Abel all in mind for starts this season. Truer prospects than Plassmeyer, feeling like at least one of those guys will be ready could quickly push Plassmeyer into more of a bullpen depth spot.