

The Philadelphia Phillies are planning to call up rookie right-hander Seth Johnson from Triple-A Lehigh Valley to make the start for Sunday's series finale against the division-rival Miami Marlins at LoanDepot Park. Johnson was a shortstop in junior college in 2018 before being drafted with the 40th overall pick by the Tampa Bay Rays in 2019 out of Campbell. He was acquired from the Baltimore Orioles in the trade that sent left-handed reliever Gregory Soto to the O's at the trade deadline. Due to Tommy John surgery in 2022, the 25-year-old right-hander made only 37 starts in pro ball before this season. The Phillies' No. 15 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, has a 2.33 ERA with 83 strikeouts and 42 walks in 88 2/3 innings for Lehigh Valley and Double-A Bowie and Reading in 2024. Johnson makes for an intriguing deep-league streamer in a good matchup against Miami, but he's going to need to show better command.

The Tampa Bay Rays selected the contract of left-handed pitching prospect Mason Montgomery from Triple-A Durham on Thursday and also recalled infielder Austin Shenton from Durham. In corresponding moves, the club designated catcher Alex Jackson for assignment and optioned left-hander Tyler Alexander to Durham. Montgomery began the 2024 season in the minors as a starter, but since being shifted to the bullpen recently at Durham, the 24-year-old southpaw has been much better, tossing 9 2/3 scoreless frames out of the bullpen with 20 strikeouts and only five walks. The former sixth-round pick in 2021 out of Texas Tech went 1-7 overall for Durham with a 6.26 ERA, a 1.61 WHIP and a 105:36 K:BB in 31 outings (14 starts). He'll most likely start in a relief role but could be an interesting arm in holds leagues in 2025 if he works his way into a high-leverage role in Tampa's 'pen.


The Philadelphia Phillies placed outfielder Austin Hays (kidney) on the 10-day injured list (retroactive to Sept. 2) with a kidney infection on Thursday and recalled outfielder Cal Stevenson from Triple-A Lehigh Valley in a corresponding move. This explains why Hays had been losing playing time of late in Philly's outfield. Brandon Marsh is in left field on Thursday, with Johan Rojas in center field, but Weston Wilson should also see more playing time moving forward when the team faces a left-handed pitcher. Given the nature of Hays' injury, it wouldn't be a surprise if he's required to miss beyond 10 days, putting his availability for the rest of the regular season in question. The 29-year-old hasn't really moved the fantasy needle all year with the Phils and Orioles, slashing .254/.305/.388 with a below-average .693 OPS, four home runs and 19 RBI in 224 at-bats.


Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper (elbow) is back at first base and batting third on Thursday in the series opener against the division-rival Miami Marlins and right-hander Adam Oller at LoanDepot Park. Harper was hit by a pitch on his left elbow in the series finale in his first bat on Wednesday against the Toronto Blue Jays and was forced from the game, but X-rays came back negative and Harper won't miss any time at all. The 31-year-old All-Star and former two-time MVP has been excellent in 2024 with 26 home runs, 76 RBI and a .282/.372/.521 slash line for fantasy managers in 123 games. The former first overall pick in 2010 has been even better in 13 games since Aug. 22, batting .362 (17-for-47) with seven doubles, although he hasn't homered and has drove in only three runs in that span. Either way, keep him in your starting lineups.


Philadelphia Phillies third baseman Alec Bohm (hand) remains sidelined for Thursday's series finale at LoanDepot Park against the division-rival Miami Marlins. With Bohm out yet again, Kody Clemens will make another start at the hot corner for the Phils and will bat eighth against Marlins right-hander Adam Oller. Bohm is missing his sixth straight game due to left-hand inflammation, but as long as he's able to return during the four-game series that stretches into the weekend in Miami, the Phillies expect the 28-year-old All-Star third baseman to avoid the injured list. Although Bohm's power (13 home runs) hasn't been very impressive, he leads the league with 44 doubles and has added 89 RBI with a .290/.343/.462 slash line with an .804 OPS. When Bohm returns to the lineup, he'll continue being a must-start for fantasy managers down the stretch in Philly's potent lineup.
