Philadelphia Phillies DVOA, Stats, & MLB Rankings

Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Brandon Marsh (knee) underwent successful left-knee arthroscopic debridement surgery with Dr. Steven Cohen in Philadelphia on Friday morning. It's expected that Marsh will return to playing at three to four weeks and be ready for Opening Day. The surgery wasn't all that invasive, but if the 26-year-old has any setbacks at all during spring training, he'll most likely have the start of his 2024 campaign delayed slightly in the season's first month. When healthy, Marsh should see most of the playing time for the Phils in left field, and he's also an option to play in center field if Johan Rojas isn't ready for an everyday role. Marsh played well in 2023 in his first full season in Philly but struck out a third of the time and is still slightly more valuable for his glove than his bat. He'll give fantasy managers modest totals in homers and speed.

The Philadelphia Phillies have claimed right-hander Max Castillo off of waivers from the Boston Red Sox. Outfielder Simon Muzziotti has been designated for assignment in order to clear a 40-man roster spot. Acquired by the Blue Jays from the Royals in a 2022 trade that sent Whit Merrifield to Toronto, Castillo has worked to a career 5.43 ERA and 8.9% K-BB% across 21 outings (six starts) and 59 2/3 innings between the Blue Jays and Royals. He was claimed off waivers by the Red Sox this winter but was designated for assignment by the club on Feb. 2. Muzziotti, 25, has just nine MLB plate appearances under his belt from 2022 and hit .296 with seven homers, 26 stolen bases, and a .762 OPS across 124 games with Triple-A Lehigh Valley in 2023, failing to reach the big leagues a season ago.

Philadelphia Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said the team really wants to bring back right-hander Zack Wheeler as he heads into the final year of his five-year contract. "Well, we would love to sign Zack today if we could. I think it's important we re-sign him. I think he's one of the best pitchers in baseball...I know Wheels loves it in Philadelphia." The 33-year-old has been an ace for the Phillies in his time with the team and had another strong year in 2023 with a 13-6 record, 3.61 ERA (3.15 FIP) and 1.08 WHIP with 39 walks and 212 strikeouts in 192 innings over 32 starts in 2023. There's little evidence to suggest that Wheeler won't be a fantasy ace again in 2024 after reaching the 200-strikeout threshold in two of the last three seasons in Philly.

When asked if outfielder Johan Rojas would be a starter in 2024, Philadelphia Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said, "Likely, yes. Definitively, no... I think he can do enough offensively... and when you add his speed in there and his defense, he becomes a real plus." Rojas became the team's primary center fielder late last season after slashing an impressive .302/.342/.430 in his first 164 big-league games in 2023. The 23-year-old never spent time at Triple-A in the minors, though, and he struggled in the postseason. Dombrowski said late last year that Rojas would have to earn playing time in center field in 2024. Rojas is more of a contact/speed guy whose high average last year was propped up by a lofty .410 BABIP. Playing time isn't guaranteed, and Rojas' bat isn't all that special.

The Philadelphia Phillies acquired right-hander Michael Rucker from the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday in exchange for cash considerations. To make room on the 40-man roster, the Phillies designated right-hander Andrew Bellatti for assignment. Rucker had been designated for assignment by the Cubs before the trade. The 29-year-old made 35 appearances out of Chicago's bullpen in 2023 and posted a 4.91 ERA (4.84 FIP) and 1.44 WHIP with 19 walks and 40 strikeouts in a total of 40 1/3 innings pitched. In three seasons with the Cubbies, he's totaled a 4.96 ERA (4.57 FIP), a 1.39 WHIP, one save, 50 walks and 120 strikeouts in 96 total relief appearances (123 1/3 frames). Rucker will be competing for a middle-relief role with the Phillies this spring.