Cody

Asche

Asche spent 2014 and 2015 as the Phillies’ starting third baseman, but he hasn’t seen the majors since appearing in 19 games with the White Sox in 2017. He’ll compete for a spot on Triple-A Rochester’s roster.

Asche had been playing for the Sugar Land Skeeters of the independent Atlantic League. The Red Sox needed a healthy body in the minors after suffering a rash of injuries. Asche last played in the majors in 2017 with the White Sox. He spent four seasons with the Phillies prior to that. He owns a .234 batting average with 32 home runs and 129 RBI in 390 major league games. It is possible that Asche could get a small amount of major league time this year for the Red Sox but he will primarily serve as minor league depth.

Asche was cut loose from Dodgers camp this spring after going 1-for-16 with eight strikeouts in Cactus League play. The corner infielder spent the entire 2018 season at the Triple-A level, slashing .224/.304/.399 in 105 games between the affiliates of the Yankees and Mets. At age 28, he could potentially climb his way back into MLB-affiliated ball with a strong showing in the Atlantic League.

Asche spent all of 2018 in the minors, batting .220/.304/.399 in 105 games between the Triple-A affiliates of the Mets and Yankees. The 28-year-old former fourth-round pick of the Phillies holds a .234/.293/.376 career slash line at the MLB level. He’ll be no more than organizational depth for the reigning NL champs.

It comes as no surprise, as Asche has been the regular at the hot corner for the Phillies since the trade deadline and has held his own with a .248/.319/.416 batting line to go along with five homers and 22 RBI over 45 games. Top prospect Maikel Franco could be another in-house option eventually, but he needs more seasoning.

The ball hit Asche in the chin and resulted in a lot of blood. He’ll likely need stitches, but it’s not a long-term concern. Phillies manager Ryne Sandberg said last week that Asche is the “leading candidate” to start at third base in 2014.

Asche is on fire of late, as Friday marked his third straight multi-hit game. The homer was his fifth of the season in 104 at-bats. The third baseman, who was ensured the everyday job when the Phillies traded Michael Young last weekend, is batting .287/.333/.485 this year.

He also singled in the contest. It’s his third straight two-hit game, raising his average from .214 to .253.

Asche was removed from Wednesday’s game against the Mets after tweaking his hamstring while running to first base on his seventh-inning single. He may need a day or two of rest, but the injury isn’t expected to sideline him for any serious length of time.

Asche, who tweaked his left hamstring Wednesday, was hoping to be ready to go Friday, but it’s not a surprise that he’s missing a second straight game. The Phillies are hoping he’ll be ready Saturday. Michael Young is at the hot corner Friday.