The Phillies made a roster move prior to their series opener against the Pirates on an overcast Thursday night.
They placed left-handed pitcher Matt Moore on the 10-day IL, retroactive to September 20, with a low back strain.
Lefty Cristopher Sanchez was recalled from Triple A to take Moore’s spot on the active roster. Sanchez is an option for the Phillies Sunday in a bullpen game, their final home contest of the regular season.
Stay in the game with the latest updates on your beloved Philadelphia sports teams! Sign up here for our All Access Daily newsletter.
Lower back spasms also cost Moore a month earlier in the season, from May 22 to June 23. Moore had not pitched since September 16 and had spent the month as one of the Phillies’ lowest-leverage arms. He appeared in three games in September -- games the Phillies won by nine and 12 runs and one they lost by nine.
In 73 innings with the Phillies, Moore has a 6.29 ERA and 1.59 WHIP. The season ends on October 3 and he is not eligible to return until September 30, so that could be it for him in a Phillies uniform after signing a one-year, $3 million contract that did not work out.
Sanchez appeared in five games with the Phillies in June and July. He made an effective three-inning appearance at Fenway Park just before the All-Star break but struggled in three outings afterward, allowing seven runs and 12 baserunners in 3⅓ innings. He had a 4.68 ERA at Triple A this season in 19 appearances (17 starts).
Thursday's start went to Aaron Nola. Andrew Knapp got the start behind the plate with J.T. Realmuto out of the starting lineup.
MLB
1. Odubel Herrera, CF
2. Jean Segura, 2B
3. Bryce Harper, RF
4. Andrew McCutchen, LF
5. Brad Miller, 1B
6. Freddy Galvis, 3B
7. Didi Gregorius, SS
8. Andrew Knapp, C
9. Aaron Nola, P