Kyle

Tyler

That’s a bad day for a pitcher who appears to have a real shot of making the Phillies as a middle reliever. Tyler, who was claimed off waivers from the Marlins in August, had allowed just two runs in 7 2/3 innings coming into this one.

Tyler was claimed off waivers last week from the division-rival Marlins and will serve as emergency pitching depth for the Phillies back at Triple-A Lehigh Valley for now.

The Marlins could have taken a look at Tyler as a middle reliever, but they won’t right now. He had a 5.40 ERA and a 25/18 K/BB ratio in 31 2/3 innings over seven starts and one relief appearance.

The 27-year-old has now made it beyond five innings just once in seven starts this season. He does post strong whiff rates, inducing 14 whiffs on 34 swings for a 41 percent whiff rate and 33 percent CSW, but he also gives up a lot of hard contact and struggles to find the zone consistently. He is not a recommended fantasy play in any format until he can improve in those areas.

The 27-year-old struggled with his command, walking four and striking out two while also posting just a 34 percent zone rate on the day. Tyler has now made it beyond five innings just once in six starts and is not a recommended start in any format.

Tyler dropped to 0-2 with a 4.74 ERA. He’s completed five innings in just one of his five starts for Miami. Middle relief work would likely suit him better.

The good news is that Tyler struck out five batters while producing a 28 percent whiff rate and 29 percent CSW. He also didn’t allow a single extra-base hit, but he did allow five hard-hit baseballs and was forced to throw 94 pitches in under five innings. His curveball continues to look like a plus pitch, and he has a solid 3.92 ERA so far this season, but he’ll be tough to start in his next two outings against the Brewers and Braves.

Tyler will get the ball Tuesday against the Orioles in a very bad matchup for him and the majority of pitchers. He has pitched well with a 3.38 ERA in three starts and one relief outing, but it’d be a tremendous mistake in process to give him a chance against Baltimore.

The Marlins probably think calling up Max Meyer this quickly after his service time deadline passed Sunday would add to his grievance case. As a result, he’ll spend at least a few more days in the minors. Tyler, who has been in Triple-A since July 5 and will need to be recalled before the game, has a 3.38 ERA in three starts and one relief appearance for the Marlins this season.

It’s a bit surprising as Tyler pitched well in Thursday’s start against the Red Sox, giving up just two runs on three hits over 5 1/3 innings against the Red Sox. Perhaps he’ll get an opportunity to pitch out of the Marlins’ rotation again after the All-Star break. Bryan Hoeing was activated from the injured list in a corresponding move on Friday.