PHILADELPHIA — The Phillies added yet one more potential bullpen arm to the combo on Tuesday, buying right-hander Chase Shugart from the Pirates.
The Phils traded Minor League infielder Francisco Loreto to Pittsburgh in trade for the 29-year-old Shugart, who had a 3.40 ERA over 35 appearances for the Pirates final season. He does have Minor League choices remaining, so he might present some flexibility and bullpen depth relying on how the bullpen competitors shakes out this spring.
TRADE DETAILSPhillies get: RHP Chase ShugartPirates get: INF Francisco Loreto
The addition of Shugart places the Phillies’ 40-man roster at 40 gamers. Meaning the membership must make an extra transfer to liberate a spot if it was to signal a free agent — akin to catcher J.T. Realmuto or infielder Bo Bichette. (Each the membership and veteran Nick Castellanos anticipate a separation earlier than Spring Coaching, in line with sources.)
As for the Phillies’ bullpen, six of the eight spots are seemingly accounted for: Proper-handers Jhoan Duran, Brad Keller, Orion Kerkering and Jonathan Bowlan, and left-handers José Alvarado and Tanner Banks.
Shugart, in the meantime, figures to affix the ever-growing competitors for one of many closing two spots. The opposite candidates embody newcomers Zach Pop, Zach McCambley (Rule 5 Draft decide), Yoniel Curet and Tyler Backus, in addition to returnees Nolan Hoffman, Seth Johnson and Max Lazar, amongst others.
It figures to be an lively competitors all through the spring, with the Phils set to enter 2026 with a little bit of a revamped bullpen. Not solely will the membership enter a season with a set nearer (Duran) for the primary time beneath supervisor Rob Thomson, but it surely additionally traded away its most constant left-handed reliever in Matt Strahm earlier this offseason.
Buying and selling Strahm to the Royals introduced again the 29-year-old Bowlan, who’s out of Minor League choices. That got here only a week after buying Curet from the Rays and deciding on McCambley within the Rule 5 Draft. Philadelphia has since added Backus, Pop and now Shugart because it seems to stockpile potential ‘pen items earlier than heading to Clearwater for Spring Coaching.
