In a move that was shocking yet also expected, the Phillies optioned third baseman Maikel Franco to Triple-A Sunday. In a corresponding move, Brad Miller was activated from the injured list.
Manager Gabe Kapler explained the move, stating that the team has an abundance of outfielders on the bench. On top of that, Franco’s lack of versatility and struggles against left-handed pitchers did not make him a good fit on a four-man bench.
Franco’s time as a Phillie has been tenuous at best. He started with a bang in his rookie season of 2015 but hasn’t been able to replicate that success since.