The Philadelphia Phillies have made a significant roster move ahead of the remainder of their series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, placing backup catcher Garrett Stubbs on the 10-day injured list with left wrist inflammation and promoting veteran outfielder Bryan De La Cruz from Triple-A Lehigh Valley.
The decision comes just one day after the Phillies picked up a win over Los Angeles and finally resolves a roster situation that had drawn attention for much of the season. Philadelphia had been carrying three catchers J.T. Realmuto, Rafael Marchan, and Stubbs—despite Stubbs seeing very little action behind the plate.
According to MLB.com’s Todd Zolecki, De La Cruz officially joins the 26-man roster as Stubbs heads to the IL. While the injury prompted the move, Stubbs’ limited role had already placed his roster spot in doubt.
Stubbs struggled to make an impact offensively in 2026, appearing in only 20 games and collecting just 28 at-bats. He hit .179 with a .429 OPS, making him one of the least-used players on the active roster. Rather than designating him for assignment, the Phillies opted to place him on the injured list, creating an opportunity to strengthen their outfield depth.
The promotion gives Bryan De La Cruz another chance to revive his Major League career. The 29-year-old has previously played for the Miami Marlins, Atlanta Braves, and briefly the Pittsburgh Pirates, compiling a career .251 batting average with a .697 OPS. His time with Atlanta in 2025 was disappointing, however, as he managed just a .453 OPS in limited opportunities, leading to his return to the minor leagues.
This season, though, De La Cruz has looked like a different hitter.
Playing for Triple-A Lehigh Valley, he has been one of the Phillies’ most productive offensive players, batting .269 with an impressive .806 OPS across 84 games. He has also produced 12 home runs, 19 doubles, 56 RBIs, 83 hits, 45 runs scored, and 44 walks in 308 at-bats.
Even more encouraging has been his recent surge. De La Cruz caught fire in June, hitting .333 with a .980 OPS, and continued his hot streak into July by batting an outstanding .394 with a 1.035 OPS. That sustained offensive production made it difficult for the Phillies to keep him in Triple-A any longer.
Although De La Cruz was not included in Tuesday’s starting lineup against the Dodgers, he is expected to receive opportunities soon, particularly against left-handed pitching where his right-handed bat could provide added value.
For Philadelphia, the move offers more than just injury insurance. It gives the club another experienced outfielder with momentum at the plate while allowing the front office to evaluate whether De La Cruz can become a reliable contributor as the team continues its push toward the postseason.
If he carries his Triple-A success into the majors, the Phillies could end up adding an unexpected offensive weapon at exactly the right time.
3 Short, Attractive Headlines
- Phillies Promote Red-Hot Slugger After Stubbs Injury
- Phillies Call Up Hot-Hitting Outfielder in Roster Shakeup
- Phillies Make Key Roster Move, Recall Surging Bat
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