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The Philadelphia Phillies are expected to make a significant roster move by promoting outfielder Bryan De La Cruz to the major league team. According to independent baseball reporters Mike Rodriguez and Matt Gelb of The Athletic, the Phillies were planning to call up De La Cruz on July 21 as the organization looks to strengthen its outfield depth during the second half of the season. The move could provide Philadelphia with a valuable right-handed bat before the MLB trade deadline.
Bryan De La Cruz Brings Power and Experience Against Left-Handed Pitching
De La Cruz has been productive in the minor leagues this season, posting a .269/.358/.448 batting line with 12 home runs and 56 RBIs across 84 games. His offensive profile has been highlighted by a 110 wRC+ and a .316 BABIP, showing that he has consistently created quality contact while providing extra-base power.
The outfielder has also demonstrated solid plate discipline, carrying a 0.59 walk-to-strikeout ratio this season. Defensively, De La Cruz has spent most of his time in right field, making 55 appearances at the position compared to six in left field. He has major league experience at all three outfield spots, although he has not played center field since 2023.
According to Gelb, the Phillies are expected to use De La Cruz primarily against left-handed pitchers. That role would allow Philadelphia to maximize his offensive strengths while giving manager Rob Thomson another option for creating matchup advantages during the second half of the season.
Phillies Must Make Difficult 26-Man Roster Decision
Adding De La Cruz to the active roster means Philadelphia must create space on its 26-man roster. The organization will need to either option a player to Triple-A Lehigh Valley, designate someone for assignment, or place a player on the injured list to complete the move.
The most logical decision could involve the team's backup catcher situation. Both Garrett Stubbs and Rafael Marchán are out of minor league options, limiting Philadelphia's flexibility. Stubbs has produced slightly better offensive results compared to Marchán, making him the more likely candidate to remain as the team's backup catcher moving forward.
That scenario would likely result in Marchán being designated for assignment, allowing the Phillies to open a roster spot for De La Cruz without disrupting their larger plans. The move reflects Philadelphia's willingness to make difficult decisions while preparing for a potential postseason push.
Bryan De La Cruz's promotion gives the Phillies another experienced bat at an important moment of the season. With the trade deadline approaching, Philadelphia will continue evaluating its roster needs, but adding a productive outfielder internally could reduce some pressure on the organization to make a major external acquisition before August.
