Francisco

Morales

Robinson will start out the regular season within the D-backs minor league organization where he spent most of his time last season at Single-A Visalia. Robinson missed the first three seasons of his career due to legal issues and was once considered a top prospect for Arizona. At 23 years old, he’ll look to continue to develop his power at the plate and potentially become a 20 HR, 20 stolen base type of player.

Morales figures to receive an invitation to spring training as well. The 24-year-old righty made his big league debut for the Phillies during the 2022 campaign and spent all of last year in their minor league system. He’s merely an organizational depth addition, but could wind up pitching in low-leverage spots for Arizona at some point in the future.

Morales was designated for assignment last Wednesday and passed through waivers unclaimed. The 23-year-old was lit up for five runs -- four earned -- over his first five major league innings with the Phillies in 2022.

This frees up a roster spot for Craig Kimbrel, whose one-year, $10 million agreement with the Phillies became official on Wednesday. Morales, 23, surrendered five runs -- four earned -- across his first five major league innings in 2022. His career ERA in the minors is 4.78.

Morales was sent down after the Phillies traded for David Robertson at the deadline. The right-hander will likely be up at some point before the end of the season, but in a role that won’t have any fantasy significance.

Morales got off to a great start in Double-A to earn a brief major league callup in May, but after he was sent down to Triple-A, he struggled mightily for a month. That resulted in a return to Double-A, where he’s again been very good. Overall, he has a 1.48 ERA in 30 1/3 innings of relief work in Double-A and a 9.00 ERA in 10 innings in Triple-A. He’ll work in the Phillies pen for now, but it could be another short stay.

The right-hander walked the tightrope in the 10th inning on Saturday night, issuing three walks but escaping a jam to earn his first career save. He made three appearances with the Phillies, logging three scoreless innings with a 1.33 WHIP and 3/4 K/BB ratio. He should get another opportunity later this summer. A corresponding move will be announced on Monday.

Not all saves are pretty, but congrats to Morales on picking up the first of his career. The right-hander was tasked with protecting a three-run lead in the bottom of the 10th, and he immediately walked the first two batters he faced to load the bases (including the runner on second added in extras) for Mookie Betts. He was able to get Betts to ground into a run-scoring double-play, however, and after issuing another walk, he was able to get that final out. Don’t expect Morales to get many more save chances, but he is one of the better prospects in the Philadelphia system.

Morales will take Zach Eflin’s place on the active roster after Eflin was placed on the COVID injured list. The 22-year-old right-hander has yet to make his major league debut. He’s been off to a great start in Double-A with an 0.55 ERA and 28 strikeouts across 16 1/3 innings.

Morales was added to the Phillies’ 40-man roster back in 2020 and will open the 2022 campaign in the upper minors. The 22-year-old righty posted a lackluster 6.28 ERA, 1.63 WHIP and 117/67 K/BB ratio across 91 2/3 innings (24 appearances, 22 starts) last year between Double-A Reading and Triple-A Lehigh Valley.