Overview
- The Phillies recalled right‑hander Alex McFarlane from Double‑A Reading on Monday and optioned Alan Rangel to Triple‑A to open a roster spot.
- The move responds to an overused bullpen that combined for 208 pitches in a loss and to the season‑ending UCL injury to setup man Brad Keller.
- McFarlane is a 25‑year‑old reliever who has a 2.06 ERA, 47 strikeouts in 35 innings at Double‑A and a mid‑100s fastball and sinker, though his walk rate is about 12.6 percent.
- The club views the call‑up as a short‑term fresh arm and an audition that could lead to extended time in Philly if he performs well, possibly as soon as the Dodgers series this week.
- Philadelphia still has elite closer Jhoan Duran but needs more reliable depth, so McFarlane’s results could reduce or reshape the bullpen targets the front office pursues before the trade deadline.