The Phillies made a trade Friday, sending right-handed reliever Addison Russ, who pitched last season at Double A, to the Yankees for 32-year-old right-hander David Hale.
From a Phillies perspective … at least it’s something. Russ could one day be a more effective reliever than Hale but the Phillies needed bullpen help today and obviously feel the veteran Hale can help them more now.
The Phils have by far the worst bullpen in the league – 62 runs allowed in 64⅔ innings – and have a few relievers who probably shouldn’t even be here. While Hale is not a hard thrower or big-time strikeout arm, he at least has shown he can gets outs at the major-league level.
“Three-pitch guy who has a really good changeup,” manager Joe Girardi said. “He probably just fell victim to them having a deep bullpen. He was available and we snatched him up. I think it’s a good move for us.”
Hale has pitched for four teams over seven big-league seasons. He broke in with the Braves in 2013 as a starting pitcher but has appeared only as a reliever in the majors since 2016.
Hale allowed two runs in six innings for the Yankees this season, striking out seven. He had a 3.11 ERA in 20 appearances last season with 12 multi-inning outings.
He throws a low-90s fastball with a changeup and slider.
Russ was the Phillies’ 19th-round pick in 2017. He spent last season at Double A Reading and had a strong year, posting a 2.54 ERA and striking out 81 batters in 56⅔ innings to earn an Eastern League All-Star appearance last summer and an invite to big-league camp earlier this year.
Alvarez to IL
The Phillies will place lefty reliever Jose Alvarez on the injured list. Alvarez took a 105 mph line drive to the groin on Thursday and was carted off. He later said that his ultrasound went well and that he was feeling better, but it was obvious that he’d have to miss some time.
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Phillies trade Addison Russ to Yankees for David Hale originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
