Phillies release Whit Merrifield, recall IF/OF Weston Wilson

Field Level Media|published: Fri 12th July, 14:57 2024

MLB: Philadelphia Phillies at Atlanta Braves

Jul 7, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Philadelphia Phillies left fielder Whit Merrifield (9) after an inning against the Atlanta Braves in the second inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

The Philadelphia Phillies released three-time All-Star Whit Merrifield on Friday.

Merrifield, 35, signed with Philadelphia as a free agent in February and appeared in 53 games for the Phillies. He split his time between left field (20 starts), second base (12) and third base (8).

Merrifield hit three home runs and drove in 11 runs while slashing .199/.277/.295 across 174 plate appearances this season.

Originally a ninth-round pick by the Kansas City Royals in 2010, he has a .281 career batting average, with 93 home runs and 481 RBIs with the Royals, Toronto Blue Jays and Phillies.

Infielder/outfielder Weston Wilson was recalled from Triple-A Lehigh Valley to take Merrifield's spot on the 26-man roster.

Wilson, 29, signed as a free agent with the Phillies in January of 2023. This will be his third stint in the big leagues with Philadelphia, having played in eight games last season and two this season in early June.

Since being sent down to the Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs on June 15, Wilson has made his presence known. He notched 10 home runs and 20 RBI while slashing .315/.446/.740 in 93 plate appearances in 20 games.

He earned International League Player of the Week honors on July 1 after blasting four homers, slashing .417/.500/.917 and boasting a 1.417 OPS across six games.

The Phillies open a three-game series Friday night against the visiting Oakland Athletics.

--Field Level Media

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