February 16, 2023
Spring is here and the Phillies marked the first workout for pitchers and catchers with the signing of one of their key relievers.
Seranthony Domínguez received a two-year contract extension, the club announced Thursday, to keep the hard-throwing righthander in Philadelphia and avoid his final two years of salary arbitration. The deal also includes a club option for 2025.
At age 28 and after a lengthy rehab from Tommy John surgery across the 2020 and 2021 seasons, Domínguez made a career-high 54 appearances in 2022, going 6-5 with a 3.00 ERA, 61 strikeouts, and a 1.14 WHIP, with his call usually coming in the later innings
In the playoffs, he went 2-0 with a 1.69 ERA, 18 strikeouts, and a 0.75 WHIP across 10.2 innings pitched.
Yes Ser 🫡 pic.twitter.com/9mOeRXNLph
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) February 16, 2023
Alongside lefthander José Alvarado, who avoided arbitration last week, the two were the relievers most often called upon on the way to the World Series, but eventually, the bullpen depth got stretched too thin.
But with the acquisitions and signings of Matt Strahm, Craig Kimbrel, and Gregory Soto – combined with the returning bullpen arms – the Phillies are hoping they'll have enough firepower to make another run.
There's a fifth spot in the starting rotation reserved for a young arm and top prospect Andrew Painter, who has been surging through the Phillies' farm system, has long been considered the favorite to earn it.
No promises. Camp did just start after all, but an interesting observation from MLB.com's Todd Zolecki Thursday morning from the clubhouse down in Clearwater:
First thing I noticed today: Andrew Painter (No. 76) locker is next to Zack Wheeler. Bailey Falter (No. 70) next to Painter. Notable because Phillies have placed lockers almost exclusively in numerical order in CLW for 20 years.
— Todd Zolecki (@ToddZolecki) February 16, 2023
Wheeler asked for them to be next to him or Nola.
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