GDT 8/16/20 New York Mets (Porcello) @ Philadelphia Phillies (Wheeler)

[andyb]

MLB really should have made it a 42-man roster this year. Even 45 with all the COVID absences. It just seems to force odd moves.

In the future I hope they enlarge the roster and maybe increase the salary of anyone on the roster to $200-$300K. There are lots of players who bounce between multiple teams because the 40-man roster is so tight these days with all the increased pitcher injuries. The rule 5 draft would not change much with a bigger roster as the big decision there is when to start a prospect's option clock.

In the same vein as paying all minor leaguers more, creating a more stable 40-man (or 45 man) roster with better pay might be good for career minor leaguers. Maybe give them pension service time too when they are on that roster.

[flyers19rw]

What happened to Bruce? The MLB channel never said why he left the game.

[zambonir]

I didn't notice Bruce was gone until McCutchen stepped to the plate, but left quad soreness apparently.

The Phillies actually have 43 guys on the 40 right now. Robertson and Serathony on the long-term IL. Suarez on COVID. They could add a 44th for Quinn if they wanted to. It would make sense if they treated COVID replacement players like paternity or doubleheader rules except for the 40 rather than the 28 - i.e. you could add or remove them without them being subject to the waiver or DFA rules. Of course the union would have to sign off on that.

They will have to release 2 pitchers for Suarez and Robertson eventually. Between the doubleheaders and the shaky pen they just have too many pitchers, including 1 or 2 in camp (Jones, Russ) who seem more likely to pitch in MLB this year than a few of the guys on the 40.

[phillychuck]

Now official. Quinn is, as Whitey would say "snakebit".

[zambonir]

You mean the transaction is official, or he tested positive?

[phillychuck]

Transaction is official. Since he was symptomatic (according to the broadcast) I would suspect he has the virus and has tested positive.

[zambonir]

No indication of that at all as of yet. Purely precautionary, same as when Bryan Price missed a few days with a cold.

If he tests postive for the virus that will be a much bigger problem because that would mean he could have been contagious on Friday and Saturday, and we could be looking at an outbreak or postponed games.

His symptoms are an earache and a sore throat.

Phillies’ Roman Quinn awaiting results of COVID-19 tests, placed on injured list

Quinn passed three contact tests Sunday, according to manager Joe Girardi, but still must get negative results in additional testing before he's cleared to accompany the Phillies on their upcoming 10-game road trip.

[phillychuck]

Thanks for the clarification.