Phillips said Monday that he intends to play in the majors this season, Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports.
Phillips spent most of the 2018 campaign at Triple-A Pawtucket in the Red Sox organization before receiving a September callup. He made little impact in the season's final month for Boston, appearing in nine games and hitting .130/.259/.261 with one homer and a 4:7 BB:K.
Phillips has begun working out at first base, Jason Mastrodonato of the Boston Herald reports. "We're going to see how versatile we can make this guy," manager Alex Cora said.
The 37-year-old Phillips has played nearly his entire 17-year career as a second baseman and has never played first base. The Red Sox are using a tandem of Mitch Moreland and Steve Pearce at first, but Moreland has slumped since the All-Star break (.183 BA, .594 OPS) while battling various injuries. Phillips made a splash in his Boston debut Wednesday, when he hit a game-winning, two-run homer in the ninth inning against Atlanta.
Phillips went 1-for-3 with a two-run homer, two walks and an additional two runs scored in Wednesday's win over the Braves.
Phillips started his tenure with the Red Sox off with a bang, taking A.J. Minter deep with two outs in the top of the ninth inning to give Boston a 9-8 lead in what was his first big-league start of the season. He also reached on a pair of walks and an error. The veteran infielder is expected to serve as a bench player for the Red Sox down the stretch, though he showed he still has a little something left in the tank.
Phillips had his contract purchased from Triple-A Pawtucket on Tuesday.
As expected, Phillips will join the Red Sox for the stretch run after latching on with the organization at the end of June and hitting .302/.348/.477 across 38 games at Triple-A. The 37-year-old doesn't figure to carry much fantasy value as he will largely be a veteran presence off the bench for Boston.
Phillips will be called up by the Red Sox on Tuesday, Michael Silverman of the Boston Herald reports.
The veteran didn't find a team until late June and has spent the season in the minors, hitting a strong .302/.348/.477 in 38 games for Triple-A Pawtucket. At age 37, Phillips still has good contact ability and the speed to steal a few bases, but he'll largely be a veteran presence on the bench for Boston, limiting his fantasy value.
Phillips (hand) returned to the lineup for Triple-A Pawtucket on Monday and went 3-for-6 with a walk, a double and two RBI.
He made a quick turnaround after being plunked on the hand Saturday. However, the 37-year-old is slashing just .229/.341/.314 with Pawtucket, and after the Red Sox acquired Ian Kinsler from the Angels on Tuesday, it's looking doubtful that we see Phillips with the big-league team anytime soon if at all.
Phillips was diagnosed with a left hand contusion Sunday after X-rays returned negative, Brendan McGair of The Pawtucket Times reports.
Phillips was forced out of his game Saturday with Triple-A Pawtucket after being struck on the hand, but it appears he was fortunate to avoid a significant injury. He could be available off the bench for Pawtucket on Sunday and should rejoin the lineup in short order. Phillips is hitting .172/.294/.241 across 34 plate appearances since reporting to the International League.
Phillips left Saturday's game for Triple-A Pawtucket after being hit on the left hand by a pitch, Rob Bradford of WEEI.com reports.
The timing couldn't be worse for Phillips, as Rafael Devers (hamstring) was injured Saturday and is likely headed to the disabled list, so Phillips could have been a replacement option if he were healthy. He was hitting .235/.317/.333 with one home run in 15 games across stops with short-season Lowell and Pawtucket.
Phillips has reported to Boston's extended spring training facility, Bill Ballou of the Worcester Telegram & Gazette reports.
Phillips hasn't played all year, so he'll need to get himself into game shape while in Florida. After that will come a placement at Triple-A Pawtucket, where the organization will have him play both second and third base. The upside is that he'll provide depth for injured second baseman Dustin Pedroia (knee), with Phillips' four Gold Gloves representing a defensive upgrade on Eduardo Nunez or Brock Holt.
Phillips inked a minor-league contract with the Red Sox on Wednesday, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.
Phillips will provide the organization with a little extra depth at second and third base as Dustin Pedroia remains sidelined with a knee injury. It's expected that Phillips will report to Triple-A Pawtucket upon his arrival. Over 144 games between the Braves and Angels last year, he hit .285/.319/.416 with 13 home runs, 60 RBI and 11 stolen bases.
Phillips intends to play this season despite not yet having landed with a team, Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports.
The 36-year-old has been working out at Georgia Tech while trying to find a major-league job. He believes he can still help a major-league team, and, despite his age, his stats make a pretty convincing case that he's right. He's fallen off from his peak with the Reds from 2007 to 2012, but he still keeps posting respectable numbers. His wRC+ has sat between 88 and 97 in each of the last five seasons and doesn't appear to be trending downwards. Those numbers are unimpressive but entirely adequate for a middle infielder. If he lands with a team soon, he could be a competent contributor across multiple fantasy categories -- he's hit at least .285 with 11 homers and 11 steals in each of the last three seasons.
Phillips, who turns 37 in June, wants to play this season, but he's struggling to find a taker on the free-agent market, Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com reports.
As Crasnick notes, Chase Utley is the only player who's exclusively a second baseman to sign a big-league deal this offseason (two years, $2 million). The Utley signing was bizarre, even at that price, but he has a history with the Dodgers, and they obviously like what he brings to the clubhouse. Phillips, on the other hand, doesn't have any obvious suitors, as most rebuilding clubs would prefer to give at-bats to a younger player, and most contending clubs have a superior option at the keystone. It's possible that Phillips is not on a major-league roster by Opening Day.
Phillips is out of the lineup Sunday against the Mariners, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.
Phillips will sit out Sunday while Cliff Pennington starts at second base in the Angels' season finale. Prior to being acquired by the Angels, Phillips began the season with the Braves. Between the two, the 36-year-old hit a respectable .285/.319/.416.
Phillips is not in the lineup against the White Sox on Thursday, Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register reports.
Phillips will head to the bench in favor of Kaleb Cowart following the club's elimination from playoff contention. Since joining the Angels at the beginning of September, Phillips has gone 24-for-94 (.255 average) with two home runs and eight RBI.
Phillips went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run in Tuesday's 9-3 win over the White Sox.
The veteran second baseman has thrived while batting fifth for his new club, going 4-for-12 with a double, two homers and four RBI over his last three games. It's unclear whether Phillips' new lineup placement is the main cause for his recent hot streak, or if it's simply just a coincidence. Either way, he is providing enough pop to help fantasy owners during the final week of the regular season.
Phillips went 2-for-4 with a double, a home run, two RBI and a pair of runs scored in Sunday's 7-5 win over the Astros.
It was the veteran second baseman's 12th homer of the season, but just his first since joining the Angels at the beginning of September. Phillips was slashing .256/.266/.321 over his previous 18 games, so manager Mike Scioscia moved him from the leadoff spot to fifth in the order Sunday. The lineup shift paid immediate dividends for the 36-year-old, and considering it coincided with the Angels snapping their six-game losing streak, this configuration will likely stick for the remainder of the season.
Phillips (back) is in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Indians, Pedro Moura of the Los Angeles Times reports.
Phillips sat out the last two games to rest his sore back, but he is ready to resume his role as the Angels' starting second baseman. Phillips will hit leadoff Tuesday against Indians starter Mike Clevinger.
Phillips (back) is out of the lineup Sunday against the Rangers, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.
Phillips will miss his second consecutive game Sunday as he deals with a tight back. The Angels had been optimistic about his condition and hoped that he'd be ready to return for their series finale against Texas, but he'll have to miss another game and give way to Kaleb Cowart at second base. The team has Monday off, so Phillips may be back in action Tuesday against the Indians.
The Angels are hoping that Phillips (back) will be able to return to the lineup Sunday, Maria Guardado of MLB.com reports.
Manager Mike Scioscia downplayed the issue, saying Phillips is merely day-to-day with lower-back tightness. Phillips appeared to injure himself on a swing during Friday's game. Cliff Pennington is starting at second base Saturday with Mike Trout leading off.
Phillips (side) is not in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Rangers, Maria Guardado of MLB.com reports.
Phillips appeared to injure himself on a swing Friday, and manager Mike Scioscia later confirmed to Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register that Phillips experienced some tightness in his side. He was to be reevaluated Saturday, but the team has yet to provide any further updates. Mike Trout will lead off in Phillips' absence as Cliff Pennington mans second base and bats ninth.
Minor League Batting Stats | ||||||||||||||||
Year | Team | GP | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | SB | CS | AVG | OBP | SLG |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1999 | R-Expos | 47 | 169 | 23 | 49 | 11 | 3 | 1 | 21 | 15 | 35 | 12 | 3 | .290 | .358 | .408 |
2000 | A-Cape Fear | 126 | 484 | 74 | 117 | 17 | 8 | 11 | 72 | 38 | 97 | 23 | 8 | .242 | .306 | .378 |
2001 | AA-Harrisburg | 67 | 265 | 35 | 79 | 19 | 0 | 7 | 36 | 12 | 42 | 13 | 6 | .298 | .337 | .449 |
2001 | A-Jupiter | 55 | 194 | 36 | 55 | 12 | 2 | 4 | 23 | 38 | 45 | 17 | 3 | .283 | .414 | .428 |
2002 | AAA-Buffalo | 55 | 223 | 30 | 63 | 14 | 0 | 8 | 27 | 14 | 39 | 8 | 2 | .282 | .321 | .453 |
2002 | AAA-Ottawa | 10 | 35 | 1 | 9 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 0 | .257 | .297 | .457 |
2002 | AA-Harrisburg | 60 | 245 | 40 | 80 | 13 | 2 | 9 | 35 | 16 | 33 | 6 | 3 | .327 | .380 | .506 |
2003 | AAA-Buffalo | 43 | 154 | 14 | 27 | 7 | 0 | 3 | 13 | 12 | 22 | 7 | 3 | .175 | .247 | .279 |
2004 | AAA-Buffalo | 135 | 521 | 83 | 158 | 34 | 4 | 8 | 50 | 44 | 56 | 14 | 11 | .303 | .363 | .430 |
2005 | AAA-Buffalo | 112 | 465 | 79 | 119 | 24 | 1 | 15 | 46 | 39 | 90 | 7 | 5 | .256 | .326 | .409 |
2014 | AAA-Louisville Bats | 2 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | -- | 0 | 0 | .000 | .167 | .000 |
2014 | AFX-Dayton Dragons | 1 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -- | 1 | 0 | 0 | .667 | .750 | 1.000 |