Phillies Will Lose Two Pitchers to Surgery

Article by: Pete Caceci

​The Phillies pitching staff has gone through more than enough problems this season, and unfortunately it may get even worse.  Starting pitcher Jake Arrieta has been revealed to be undergoing season ending surgery on his elbow, due to a bone spur that came to light in early July.  To add to this list, other Phillies pitcher David Robertson will be missing the rest of this season and most of the 2020 year as well after having Tommy John surgery this past Thursday.  The news was released by Phillies insider Jim Salisbury on twitter yesterday.

Robertson was recently acquired from the Yankees on a two-year, $23 million deal in January.  Since then, the 34-year-old relief pitcher has pitched about 7 innings total going 0-1 and having an ERA of 5.40.  Phillies fans will unfortunately remember this guy when he walked in the winning run against the Nationals back in April.  He injured his arm not long after the defeat and has been forgotten until now.  It is unfortunate that this happened, as Robertson was extremely healthy throughout his career, making at least 60 appearances on the mound in the previous nine seasons.  “Obviously, I’ve had those thoughts,” Robertson told reporters of the possibility his career could be over, as the Phillies have had plans to move on without him.

Arrieta is having one of the worst seasons of his entire MLB career; through 17 starts, he is currently 8-8 with a 4.43 ERA.  Ever since he arrived to the Phillies in 2018 for a 3-year $75 million deal, the 2015 NL Cy Young Award winner has not been able to reclaim those same statistics.  As for highlights, there really has not been anything for Jake to lean on except for a dust up with Mets third baseman Todd Frazier.  Since meeting with the team early last week over the status of the injury, rumors have begun to spread within the organization that Arrieta has been considering retirement.  Hopefully, this recuperation will help build Arrieta’s confidence and allow him to redeem himself come next season.

As much as these two players have not really made a difference for this team, we need everyone that we can get.  The Phillies are currently 3rd in the NL East and are tied for third in the Wild Card spot with the Brewers.  Both pitcher’s experience could be used to mentor the lackluster staff that we currently have in times under pressure.  Every game at this point counts, and if the Phillies do not make the postseason this year, we may see a lot of coaching staff go as well as players who are not performing to their usual talents.  The chopping block is also approaching Arrieta and Robertson, and if I were them, I would be sweating.
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