The Phillies activated Bryan De La Cruz on Tuesday and moved Garrett Stubbs to the 10-day injured list, giving the club a fresh roster adjustment heading into a stretch that already featured some pressure on its right-handed hitters.
De La Cruz’s return brings nearly 500 games of major league experience back to Philadelphia’s active roster. The outfielder had appeared in 491 major league games before rejoining the Phillies, a resume that includes stops with the Marlins and Yankees. Last July, the Yankees designated him for assignment.
The roster move comes at a time when the Phillies were expected to face two consecutive left-handed starters. That context matters because Philadelphia’s right-handed hitters had struggled, entering the move with a.217 batting average and a.633 OPS against lefties, both last in baseball among right-handers.
De La Cruz gets another shot
De La Cruz was called up after spending time at Lehigh Valley, where he said his focus stayed on performing and helping wherever he was needed. He also said he had been aware of what was happening with the big league club, but that his attention remained on his own job in the minors.
On Monday, he was at Fogo de Chão when Chris Adamson called with the news. De La Cruz said he was grateful for the opportunity and framed the moment as another chance to keep moving forward after setbacks.
“I just want to thank God, mainly,” De La Cruz said. He also said, “We just have to keep the faith up and just believe and keep going. Keep advancing, keep moving on, and it doesn’t matter how hard it gets. … You can always make it back up, and you just have to believe and be thankful for the opportunity to be here.”
That kind of perspective fits a player who has had to keep earning his way back. De La Cruz said, “Down in the minors, that was my main focus, just trying to perform and trying to help where I was. And now I’m here, and I’ll try to do the same.”
Why the move matters
The Phillies did not just add an extra outfielder. They added a right-handed bat with a long big league track record at a time when that skill set was in demand. De La Cruz said he would be ready to contribute wherever the team wants him, adding, “I’m going to be here for everyone, and for the team, and whatever they want me to contribute in, I will do that.”
Stubbs’ move to the injured list opens the door for at least 10 days without him on the active roster. While Stubbs’ role had been unusual this month — he made pitching appearances in blowout games in Kansas City on July 6 and in Detroit on July 10 — the Phillies needed the roster spot for De La Cruz’s return.
For now, the change gives Philadelphia a little more flexibility against left-handed pitching and another experienced option on the bench. De La Cruz said his approach would stay simple: “I’ll just try and do what I can do, and what I do best. But any way that the team wants me, I’ll just be there and try to perform.”
That is the practical takeaway from Tuesday’s move. The Phillies get a veteran outfielder back, Stubbs goes on the 10-day injured list, and the active roster shifts in a way that could matter immediately depending on how the next stretch of the schedule unfolds.
