The Filis have announced several list moves ahead of tonight’s series opening in Toronto. Because unvaccinated players are not eligible to cross the border between Canada and the United States, each new local series of the Blue Jays causes a handful of players from the opposing team to reach the restricted list instead of making the trip. . In the case of the Phils, they have four players who are not with the team in the north. Receiver JT Realmuto, fielder Alec Bohm, right-handers Kyle Gibson and Aaron Nola have been included on the restricted list. To fill two of those positions on the roster, receiver Rafael Marchan has retired, while right-hander Nick Duron has had his contract selected. Both Marchan and Duron were identified as “substitute players,” meaning they can be returned to minors without being exposed to exemptions.
Duron, 26, will make his MLB debut as soon as he enters a game. Originally a round 31 selection from Boston in 2015, he spent a few years in the Red Sox system and then the Mariners. The Phillies signed him to a minor league deal during the low season and sent him to the Triple-A.
Through 28 entries with the Lehigh Valley IronPigs, Duron has an ERA of 2.57, an innings rate of 30.3% and a ground ball rate of 42.6%. However, it also has a walking rate of 12.3%, which has been one of its issues in recent years. The last time he posted a walk rate of less than 10.6% was in 2018. Still, lightning is helping to limit the damage enough to earn him a big league look. However, it is likely to be only temporary, with Duron likely to be removed from the list once the Phillies return from Toronto.