Phillies option Mick Abel to triple A, recall pitcher Max Lazar

DENVER — Though Mick Abel made history in his major league debut on Sunday, the plan from the beginning was for the right-hander to make just one start with the Phillies.

With José Alvarado serving an 80-game suspension after testing positive for exogenous testosterone, the Phillies need bullpen help. Ahead of the series opener against the Colorado Rockies on Monday, they optioned Abel to triple-A Lehigh Valley and recalled right-handed reliever Max Lazar.

When Abel was called up, he was aware that it would only be for a spot start, with Aaron Nola on the injured list and Taijuan Walker heading back to the Phillies’ starting rotation. But the 23-year-old made that one start count, matching a 78-year-old Phillies record by striking out nine in his debut.

“He keeps throwing the ball like that,” manager Rob Thomson said afterward, “I guarantee you he’s going to be back.”

Lazar, 25, has posted a 3.12 ERA and 0.920 WHIP in 15 relief appearances this season in triple A. He has recorded 20 strikeouts, and has not allowed an earned run in his last five appearances for the IronPigs.

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“He’s actually pitching really well,” Thomson said. “And his velocity is really good. He’s throwing a lot of strikes; breaking ball’s been really good. He’s kind of a neutral split. So if we need to, he can get lefties out.”

Lazar made his major league debut last August, and put up a 4.61 ERA over 13⅔ innings with the Phillies in 2024.

A main difference in Lazar this season, besides an overall uptick in velocity, has been his numbers against left-handers. In those 11 big-league appearances last season, lefties hit .350 against him. But in Lehigh Valley this year, he’s held them to a .114 batting average, while righties are hitting .222.

If he can maintain those splits, the Phillies hope that Lazar can be a pitcher they turn to against lefties when the only two left-handers in the pen — Matt Strahm and Tanner Banks — aren‘t available.

Thomson believes right-handers Orion Kerkering and José Ruiz can also be effective in those matchups. Over the past few weeks, Ruiz has been developing a slider as an additional weapon to help him get lefties out.

“I think the number one goal is to find another guy or two that can go into leverage,” Thomson said. “I think managing the leverage guys is pretty easy because I have certain rules and I stick with them, and I’m not going to move away from that, because it’s all about keeping them healthy.”

Nola (right ankle sprain) made the trip to Colorado with the Phillies. He has continued to play catch, but has not yet thrown from a mound, as he is still feeling discomfort in his ankle. Thomson expects him to get on a mound at some point during the Phillies’ current road trip. … Jesús Luzardo (4-0, 2.00 ERA) is scheduled to start on Tuesday against Rockies right-hander Antonio Senzatela (1-7, 6.39).