Yeah Covey not really to blame here.
And Covey has been used exactly as intended - long man, lower leverage, extra-innings situations, higher-leverage only if there's no one else. If we'd seen more of him until now that would mean the team was doing worse.
But by carrying six starters there's no longer a long man/'last guy in the pen" type arm. And despite Thomson saying Covey will see higher-leverage work now, it's not like Vasquez was getting that work either. The most likely spot is still middle relief if the starter doesn't go five-six. Or in games the team is trailing.
Marte will still have to go down when Alvarado comes back. And then presumably back up in September. But it's also still not guaranteed Covey stays. There's also Bellatti. Brogdon we're likely not going to see (I saw he was moved to the development list yesterday which I'm sure is temporary but also a further indication of his place in the pecking order).
Question: if the Phillies did find themselves needing to move Covey off the major league roster and DFA'ed him on September 1, and he cleared waivers, would he still count as a playoff-eligible pre-8/31 member of the organization? Not that I really expect him to be on the playoff roster when two starters will be vying for that spot, but it's an interesting procedural consideration.