Erich

Uelmen

Uelmen elected free agency last November following his removal from Philadelphia’s 40-man roster. The 28-year-old righty figures to bolster Arizona’s razor-thin relief depth at some point in the near future. He’s made 26 relief appearances in the majors between the Phillies and Cubs dating back to the 2022 season.

They first activated the 27-year-old hurler from the 60-day injured list before removing him from their 40-man roster. Uelmen made just one appearance with the Phillies during the 2023 season, allowing four runs on three hits over his lone inning of work. He’ll continue to function as extra bullpen depth for the Phillies at the Triple-A level.

The move was done procedurally as a way for the Phillies to free up a spot on their 40-man roster for Michael Plassmeyer to start the second game of Saturday’s doubleheader against the Mets. There’s no word on how long Uelman will be sidelined for with his right flexor strain.

Uelmen allowed four runs (one earned) over one inning Friday in his season debut for the Phillies and has been shipped back to the minors to enable the club to bring up a fresh arm ahead of Saturday’s showdown against the Cubs. The 27-year-old righty figures to be back up again the near future as middle relief depth.

He’ll join the big league bullpen with Bailey Falter being optioned to Triple-A Lehigh Valley in a corresponding move on Tuesday. The 26-year-old hurler has been terrific in his limited action at Triple-A this season -- registering a 1.04 ERA, 0.69 WHIP and a 5/2 K/BB ratio over 8 2/3 innings. He’ll add depth in the middle innings for the Phillies.

Uelman was picked up from the Cubs back in January and will open the regular season as organizational relief depth back in the minors.

Uelmen was designated for assignment by the Cubs about a week ago after struggling to a 4.67 ERA over his first 27 major league innings -- all in relief -- last season. The 26-year-old right-hander joins the Phillies as organizational bullpen depth.

Uelmen ascended to the majors last season with the Cubs, posting a serviceable 4.67 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 21/12 K/BB ratio across 27 innings (25 appearances). The 26-year-old right-hander has a decent shot at passing through waivers unclaimed and returning to Chicago as organizational relief depth.

Uelmen loaded the bases in a one-run game, but he was able to strike out Cal Mitchell to end the game. The rookie right-hander has a 4.56 ERA and a 20/10 K/BB ratio in 23 2/3 innings for the Cubs. He’s still probably not any higher than third on the team’s closing depth chart.

Of course he did allow one hit -- and also plunked a pair of hitters in the ninth inning -- but was able to escape any damage being done. The 26-year-old southpaw has registered a 1.80 ERA, 0.60 WHIP and 6/1 K/BB ratio over five innings of work with the big league club.