Steward Berroa Rejoins Phillies After Otto Kemp Optioned Friday
steward berroa is back with the Phillies after the club recalled him from Lehigh Valley on Friday and sent Otto Kemp to Triple-A. The move gives Philadelphia a switch-hitting outfielder who can cover all three outfield spots and run off the bench.
Berroa’s return to Philadelphia
Berroa started in center field Friday against Dodgers left-hander Justin Wrobleski, with Justin Crawford getting the day off. It was a direct look at why the Phillies wanted him on the roster: he can switch-hit, defend multiple spots, and fit into a reserve role without forcing the club to stretch elsewhere.
Philadelphia acquired Berroa from the Brewers on April 8 in exchange for cash, and he had been with Lehigh Valley before this recall. In 38 games there, he stole nine bases, hit four home runs and posted a.250/.361/.400 line.
Otto Kemp heads to Lehigh Valley
Kemp’s move goes the other way after a rough run in the majors. He had not appeared in a game since May 20 and had not recorded a major league hit since April 8, finishing 2-for-25 this year.
Don Mattingly said the fit pointed toward Berroa. “As much as anything, probably a better role for him than Kemp.” He added, “He plays all three outfield positions, usually a guy off the bench that could run, switch hitter, good defender. Just felt like the role fit him more than it did Otto.”
Mattingly’s roster fit
That role is the point of the move. Mattingly said Berroa has been used to playing without regular reps, and called Kemp “a tough role for a guy that’s young and needs to be playing to keep improving.” Kemp now gets more regular at-bats in Lehigh Valley, where he can keep working both infield and outfield.
Berroa has 30 career major league games between the Blue Jays and Brewers, so Friday was another chance to turn minor league production into a useful bench job. The Phillies also placed Aaron Nola on the paternity list Friday and recalled Nolan Hoffman from Triple-A, leaving Berroa’s return as the roster move that changed the outfield picture most directly.
