Phillies Notebook: Veteran Ronald Torreyes granted a release with Bryson Stott demotion

PHILADELPHIA — With 24-year-old Bryson Stott optioned to Triple-A Lehigh Valley Tuesday, there wasn’t much Phillies manager Joe Girardi could do but wish for the best for veteran utilityman Ronald Torreyes.

Torreyes asked for his release from the Phillies, having already seen his role diminish. He played two seasons under Girardi with the Phillies and was part of the 2017 Yankees team Girardi led to the ALCS.

“He was not playing a lot,” Girardi said of Torreyes, who had spent the first month of the season with the IronPigs. “And then with Bryson coming down, there’s even less time because Bryson is going to play every day. I hope he lands in a good spot for him, and he gets back to the Big Leagues. He’s an easy guy to manage because he’s always prepared to play anywhere. The only place I would have a concern about putting him is catcher. But I think he could probably do that, too.”

While Torreyes is a free agent, Stott, who can play anywhere in the infield, is still part of the Phillies’ plans providing he gets comfortable again with the bat. Hopefully Stott has a better outcome than Scott Kingery, the infielder with the bright future trying to get back into baseball after surgery for a torn labrum.

In nine games and 31 plate appearances this season with the Phillies, Stott managed four hits (.133), drove in three runs and scored one. He exited for Allentown hitless in his last 18 plate appearances.

“He needs to go play because he is definitely in our future plans,” said Girardi, who gave Stott specific instructions. “Don’t go down and pout for two weeks, waste two weeks. You know how quickly something can happen. You can be right back and expected to play every day. Not getting at-bats is not good for his development. We wanted to get him at-bats.”

Girardi, among others, was modestly surprised Stott hit the wall so quickly. At the same time, Alec Bohm and Johan Camargo took advantage of their playing opportunities. With high-paid shortstop Didi Gregorius back in the lineup Tuesday following a hand injury, the infield got a bit crowded.

Torreyes started at three infield spots last season with the Phillies, batting .242 with seven home runs and a career-best 41 RBIs.

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The Phillies recalled lefthander Damon Jones from Lehigh Valley Tuesday. Lefty Bailey Falter was optioned to LV despite pitching a scoreless ninth inning to wrap up the Phils’ 8-2 win over the Rockies Monday.

Girardi wants Jones around just in case the Phillies need a starter in a doubleheader.

“He threw the ball OK for us when he was up here and he’s throwing the ball good down there,” Girardi said. “And I think we’re getting to the point where we’re not using our long relievers as much and the work isn’t consistent, so we have to have some other starters. There will come the day when we need one.”

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Roman Quinn, who recently joined the Phils after sitting out the 2021 season with a torn Achilles’ tendon. could be a pinch-runner or a defensive replacement in the late innings.

“A lot of that will depend on where the guys are hitting that you’re taking out,” Girardi said. “So, if they’re coming up the next inning you might leave him in.”

The reports Girardi has in the wake of Quinn’s spring training injury are encouraging.

“They said he was flying,” Girardi said.

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After MLB indicated teams could keep a maximum of 13 pitchers when rosters were pared to 26 May 1, the requirement was relaxed to add another. The limit is now 14 pitchers from May 2 through May 29.

Beyond that the 13-pitcher rule applies. Girardi said the Phils plan to keep 13 pitchers on the roster despite the change.