2022 Phillies Major League Regular Season Discussion

[andyb]

It is fascinating that people were pushed towards the J and J vaccine versus the MRNA vaccines. It was pretty clear early on that J and J had a slightly higher risk of these clots (though still ridiculously low) and a lower efficacy rate. It does seem that the "lack of track record" political talking points won out over the extensive testing on the MRNA vaccines.

It is just a shame that this became a political football. There is a legitimate argument about individual rights versus collective societal obligations. But science is supposed to dictate the answer to those arguments and science says the MRNA vaccines are perfectly safe. Hopefully they figure out a way to effectively recalibrate them for the Fall as their biggest weakness is not adapting to all these variations.

Suggestion - probably time to move this to one of the OT threads. Can't remember what our COVID-specific threads were but it possibly belongs there rather than the political thread.

[andyb]

Schwarber in the Home Run Derby.

[zambonir]

How the Phillies are navigating COVID-19 vaccine absences and a depleted roster...

Hard to wrap my head around everything in here, but:

• Brogdon still not available before Friday

• Carmargo possibly not available before Friday

• Phillies will only play with 24 guys Tuesday (but 13 can be pitchers) and 25 Wednesday (when they are allowed to use Gibson's spot)

And:

Emanuel, who has been pitching as a starter in the minors, would be a logical candidate to log innings in Toronto. It was unclear whether the Phillies would tab him. Only catcher Rafael Marchan was revealed as a roster replacement.

“The status of who we bring up is affected,” Dombrowski said, “because we do have people at Lehigh Valley who are not vaccinated also.”

Gelb had previously reported the Phillies were going to have more than 4 players; clearly one has gotten vaccinated since then.

The outreach to the big-league players did not convince everyone. But at least one player decided during this season to be vaccinated for the good of the team.

[andyb]

Missed that 24 player 13 pitcher thing as I thought the 2 ineligible pitchers counted among the 13 pitchers.

If that is the case they almost certainly bring in Emanuel who has already gone 6 in the minors in his rehab to be the 2nd pitcher behind Bellatti. And Marchan to catch of course though Stubbs seems likely to start.

On that 4 player comment, it is pretty clear the Phillies have more though some may be on the IL or in the minors. At least 3 more that I can think of that are highly likely.

[allentown]

It is fascinating that people were pushed towards the J and J vaccine versus the MRNA vaccines.

There were times and places where J&J was the only available vaccine.

[andyb]

There were times and places where J&J was the only available vaccine.

It was pushed more for ease of use (1 shot) and easier storage requirements (less cold). That is independent of the conspiracy theories around the MRNA vaccines though. If one's argument was that those vaccines were untested, then there needed to be a fallback to the more traditional vaccine.

There was still a use for J&J early on because of convenience. That is just not the reason some people used it however which was often a misguided (scientifically) attempt at safety.

[zambonir]

If that is the case they almost certainly bring in Emanuel who has already gone 6 in the minors in his rehab to be the 2nd pitcher behind Bellatti. And Marchan to catch of course though Stubbs seems likely to start.

Yeah but I think Gelb was strongly implying that Emanuel isn't vaccinated.

[zambonir]

"Probably no connection between having COVID multiple times and [bad] OPS"

https://twitter.com/justin_klugh/status/1546834298346553350

[andyb]

As expected, Vierling (3B), Herrera (CF), and Stubbs (C) in the lineup tonight. Need to score runs with the bullpen game though it is possible Toronto has a bullpen game Wednesday. Kevin Gausman is also possible for Wednesday (out since 7/2 with an ankle bruise) though they were hoping he could have gone tonight.

No transactions yet.

[andyb]

Camargo to AA, Maton to AAA today, so they are not in Toronto. I keep thinking that Dalton Guthrie might get a 2-day reward since he does not have to be on the 40-man roster.

[zambonir]

With 24 players they're not gonna bring up anyone besides the catcher today right?

[zambonir]

Nick Duron gets the call

[andyb]

40-man roster page lists Duron but not the 4 players on the restricted list. They clearly can handle this better. Assume they wanted the extra pitcher tonight and that 13-pitcher limit does not count Nola and Gibson.

Looks like this puts off the potential Bohm IL decision until Friday. That will be a messy 40-man decision day as I think Romero needs to come off his rehab by then too. Brogdon also may not be technically counted yet.

Edit - Duron looked good to me in Spring Training. Another one of those high velocity guys in the 96-98 range with oontrol issues but he has been pretty good the last few weeks. Unclear if he is in Toronto yet.

[andyb]

Interesting lineup twist today. Stott bumped up to 5th and Didi back to 7th. It is not as if Stott is tearing the cover off the ball (683 OPS last 15) but he has been solid and Didi has not.

Stott could be getting a chance to win the full time SS job when Segura is back.

Observation 2 - Stott is our number 5 hitter.

[zambonir]

Phillies Select Will Toffey

Rossman on what's essentially the taxi squad I guess?

[gmwannabe]

Casty still in the 5 hole?? I hope not.

[gmwannabe]

3 hole, sorry.

[andyb]

Kelly optioned so Toffey goes there. And since we can replace Gibson for this game we put Rossman in that non-40 man roster category. So he'll go back down along with Duron after today. And Camargo probably replaces Toffey by Friday though Toffey would have to go through waivers.

We'll still need a 40-man spot for JoJo, so roster roulette week continues. And Brogdon might force another 40-man move if he is also ready.

On the lineup, we just have so few options. I might give Stubbs a shot at a higher spot but the team probably thinks the early offense from him was just luck.

[andyb]

Discouraging outing from Brogdon who potentially could get activated for tomorrow. It has been over 3 weeks for him on the COVID list. Looks like he needs another rehab outing or two. He'll require a 40-man move. I think JoJo will require a move today also.

More side eye, Brogdon - .2 IP 3 H 2 ER 0 BB 0 K 1 HBP 2 WP, fastball was 92-94

— Matt Winkelman ( @Matt_Winkelman ) July 14, 2022

Early moves. Rossman, Duron, Marchan, Toffey back to the minors. Nola, Gibson, Realmuto, Bohm reinstated. Still need decision on Bohm (IL?), Romero, Brogdon, Camargo, potentially Maton (4 hits last night at LHV).

Phillies Return Nick Duron, Bubby Rossman To Minors

[zambonir]

Funny sidenote given the Toronto mess - I'll bet you dollars to donuts Brogdon and many other players are not boosted, and therefore likely to be more susceptible to a longer bout of COVID. Some of these guys are also getting it for a second time and studies are beginning to show that while you're still not going to get seriously ill it can hit you harder or increase long COVID type issues (which could be as simple as, sore joints or exhaustion, neither ideal for a pro athlete). And if I had to be in a room with four unvaccinated co-workers all the time I'd want that booster. Hopefully most of them got it (unlike the country overall).

The breakthrough cases are basically unavoidable and none of the players are eligible for second boosters but when we look back on the season there are definitely going to be a few losses that were tied to the virus either way.