July 22, 2016
As the Phillies prepare to start a 10-game road trip on Friday night in Pittsburgh, the team has decided to designate right-handed relief pitcher Daniel Stumpf for assignment and recalled RHP Severino Gonzalez from triple-A Lehigh Valley.
Stumpf, who recently finished serving an 80-game PED suspension, was a Rule 5 pick over the winter, meaning the Phillies had to keep him on the active roster — or at least the short-term (15-day) DL — in order to maintain the 25-year-old's rights. With Friday's move, the team will no longer hold those rights, which will transfer back to his original team, the Kansas City Royals, if no other team claims him via waivers.
After a few unimpressive outings, it appears the Phillies don't think Stumpf has shown enough since returning from his suspension to warrant a spot on the 25-man roster. In his seven big-league games (5 IP) this season, he's allowed six earned runs (10.80 ERA) and has a 2.200 WHIP.
As for Gonzalez, 23, he struggled with the Phillies during the 2015 season, going 3-3 in seven appearances (all starts) with a 7.92 ERA and a 1.663 WHIP in 30 2/3 innings.
In 11 appearances in 2016 (all in relief), Gonzalez has fared much better. He posted a 3.38 ERA in 13 1/3 innings, while striking out 17 and walking just one. And in his 21 appearances between double-A and triple-A this season, Gonzalez has a 2.93 ERA, 35 strikeouts, 8 walks and a 1.174 WHIP.
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