24 Pittsburgh Pirates (Jones) @ Philadelphia Phillies (Suárez, R)

Austinfan 2024-04-12 11:31:34 UTC #81

Ranger in playoff mode, velo up to 91-93, his norm.
Now 4-seamer, 2-seamer, curve, cutter, change. Think that's enough?

Don't know who fixed Marte, but if he keeps it up and Kerkering picks up where he left off, I don't think we're going to spend a lot of time complaining about the bullpen.

Callison 2024-04-12 15:11:27 UTC #82

Marte, to me, is one of those guys the Phils decide they like and refuse to reconsider. Last season, I used to think of him as Two-On-Marte, - he'd be doing OK, then suddenly there are two on and the opponents score a couple. To see this erratic pitcher come up with 3Ks shows the Phils' athletic talent evaluation team may know something after all.

The Phils pen could get super strong, but may have some new faces. Nelson??? Wonder how long it will take Kerkering to get game ready. Pinto let 2 on last outing, but shut out the inning.

Austinfan 2024-04-12 21:12:38 UTC #83

Nelson and Pinto are back of the pen guys, both have plus secondary pitches, but lack a good enough FB to get people out when they can't consistently command their secondary pitches. So it comes down to whether they can throw their changeup/splitter effectively night after night.

zambonir 2024-04-12 22:53:55 UTC #84

Nelson was fine last night in his role but he'll probably go down so they don't expose Pinto to waivers. Either of them are fine until they have to address the Walker/Turnbull spot. Kerkering will be added back to the roster Sunday.

The Phillies don't "believe" in any of their players any more than any other team. Managing a bullpen and a 40-man roster based on age and role and option status is just how baseball works. And good relievers come off the trash heap just as often as they show up with years of success.

Marte was a fringe guy last year and could have been again this year but he profiles the same as Alvarado and Soto and Hoffman, the stuff is too good not to try and get him to his maximum potential. He's just not as far along (or contractually heavy) as those guys. Right now he can still be part of the option/call-up merry-go-round just like Ortiz and Nelson if he hits a bump.