Phillies Make Desperate Claim Of Journeyman Pitcher

How desperate are the Philadelphia Phillies for a fifth starter? So much so that they’ve claimed a 31-year-old journeyman just two days after being DFA’d by the Los Angeles Dodgers, and immediately inserted him into the rotation.

Dylan Covey had pitched in just one MLB game since 2020.

The Phillies are in desperate need of a fifth starter https://t.co/qFVniHrF2D
— The Good Phight (@TheGoodPhight) May 20, 2023

And as noted by Phils beat writer Matt Gelb, Covey is probably going to start on Tuesday.

The right-hander had spent the last two seasons pitching in China after compiling a 6.54 ERA in parts of four previous seasons in MLB, from 2017-2020. He made one four-inning appearance out of the bullpen for the Dodgers this past week, and had a 4.22 ERA in six starts for Triple-A Oklahoma City.

Covey was originally a 1st-round pick in the MLB Draft in 2010, so perhaps there's something buried deep inside there that could somehow emerge in 2023. Yeah, we told you the Phillies were desperate to try anything for a 5th starter.

Phillies starters have a 7.20 ERA during their current five-game losing streak, and recently sent down previous fifth-starter Bailey Falter to the minors without calling anyone up to replace him. Taijuan Walker will start on short rest on Sunday, despite his 6.53 ERA and 1.50 WHIP in nine starts so far this season.

Good times in Philly.

Photo: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports