Why Rojas was sent and what Phillies need to see from him originally appeared in NBC Sports Philadelphia
There were several layers to the Phillies’ decision on Monday afternoon, with Johan Rojas being optioned to Triple A to make room on the active roster for the return of Trea Turner.
Part of it was a roster crisis. Rojas still had options in the minor leagues, while Cristian Pache and David Dahl did not. If the Phillies had attempted to send Pache or Dahl to the minor leagues, they would have first had to pass them off waivers and there is a high probability that either player would have been claimed off waivers.
The other part is Rojas’ offensive approach and production. The Phillies want him to reduce his swing, use the field more and improve his offense. They’ve been waiting for this development from him since spring training, but it hasn’t happened.
“Those are the things we need because I think if he’s doing what he can on offense — which is just being a table setter, having good hits, being able to move the ball, moving runners — with him playing center field, This is probably the best version of our club,” said coach Rob Thomson.
“He took it very well, very professionally. I think he will go there and work on it. This is a good opportunity for Ro to develop a little. the things we’re asking him to do.”
Thomson reiterated that he feels the best version of the Phillies lineup has Rojas in center field, where he showed last summer the type of impact he can make defensively. He hasn’t been as valuable in the field or on the base paths as he was last summer, when he likely threw over his head. He has struck out three times this season and has committed more physical and mental errors at center than he has in the 59 major league games he has played in 2023.
“Focus on reading pitchers, studying pitchers, pitchers’ tendencies, pitching times, good secondary tracks,” Thomson said. “But most of it is probably on the offensive side.”
Without Rojas, the Phillies will optimize for more offense in the outfield. Brandon Marsh will platoon in center field with Pache and Whit Merrifield will share left field with Dahl.
“We still want to get Marsh to hit against left-handed pitchers, we’ll try to pick,” Thomson said. “But for the most part, I think we’ll platoon.”
Edmundo Sosa also began working in left field on Monday ahead of the Phillies’ series opener against the Padres. If Sosa steps up to the plate — his hands, defensive ability and instincts indicate he will — he could become another option alongside Merrifield against left-handed pitching.
