Inside The Phillies

Strahm Could be Solution to Philadelphia Phillies Pitching Depth Woes

The Philadelphia Phillies need extra rotational depth following a rash of injuries this spring. Could Matt Strahm be the answer?
Kade Kistner|
Strahm Could be Solution to Philadelphia Phillies Pitching Depth Woes
Strahm Could be Solution to Philadelphia Phillies Pitching Depth Woes

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Philadelphia Phillies

The Philadelphia Phillies have a pitching depth issue on their hands. Aside from their top three rotation spots, the rest of their pitching staff is in question right now. The presumable fourth starter, Ranger Suárez, returned early from the World Baseball Classic after suffering a forearm tightness after competing for Team Venezuela.

Andrew Painter, the Phillies top prospect, has a sprained UCL and is no longer in the running to begin the season as the team's fifth starter. 

That leaves Bailey Falter and. . . Michael Plassmeyer?

It's not exactly the best of options available for a team with another National League pennant in mind, even if only temporarily. 

That's why it's intriguing to hear that Philadelphia is beginning to stretch out Matt Strahm into a multi-inning relief-type player according to Scott Lauber of the Philadelphia Inquirer.

It is worth noting that Strahm is a former starting pitcher but holds a career 5.08 ERA in the spot. His performance as a reliever is much more encouraging as he posted a 3.83 ERA in 44.2 innings of relief with the Boston Red Sox during the 2022 MLB season. 

If Strahm can be extended into a multi-inning reliever again, that could leave open the door for him as an emergency starter later in the season. It would only be for emergency spot starts or if another wave of injuries hits the rotation.

Still, the Phillies appear to be planning for every contingency barring a trade for starting pitching depth. 

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Kade Kistner
KADE KISTNER

Kade Kistner is the publisher and beat writer for Sports Illustrated's Inside the Phillies. An alumnus of Tulane University, Kade graduated in 2017 with a degree in Latin American Studies and a minor in Spanish. Upon graduation, Kade commissioned into the United States Navy and attended Naval Flight School in Pensacola, Fl. He served as a Naval Aviator and was stationed in Jacksonville, Fl.  During his time in school and the Navy, Kade began covering the MLB and NFL with USA Today, SB Nation, and Sports Illustrated.  Kade covered the New Orleans Saints, Texas Rangers, and numerous other teams within the Sports Illustrated network before launching Inside the Phillies, Inside the Astros, and Inside the Cubs. You can follow him on Twitter at @KadeKistner, or if you have any questions or comments he can be reached via email at kwkistner@gmail.com.

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