Phillies DFA 4.42 ERA former Nationals reliever after White Sox trade

The Philadelphia Phillies have been one of the best teams in Major League Baseball since Don Mattingly took over for a fired Rob Thomson. They recently won back-to-back series against the Chicago White Sox and Toronto Blue Jays.

But, in that series finale against the Blue Jays, Adolis Garcia got hurt, and the Phillies decided to swing a trade with the White Sox, landing outfielder Derek Hill and an international bonus for two prospects, according to ESPN's Jeff Passan.

To make room on the 40-man roster for Hill, the Phillies announced that they designated for assignment a former Washington Nationals pitcher who has a 4.42 ERA this season in Triple-A, 27-year-old Jackson Rutledge.

Phillies DFA Jackson Rutledge after White Sox trade

"The Phillies have acquired OF Derek Hill and international bonus pool money from the Chicago White Sox for OF Dylan Campbell and INF Jose Colmenares. To make room on the 40-man roster, RHP Jackson Rutledge was designated for assignment," the Phillies announced.

This roster move for the Phillies in the wake of this trade is not that big of a surprise. While Rutledge might've been an interesting bullpen option, they have plenty of solid relievers thriving at the MLB level right now.

Rutledge is also a little bit older, and the former first-round pick by the Nationals has not been that productive at the MLB level in his career.

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He had a 47.25 ERA in one outing this season, and a 5.77 ERA in 63 outings in 2025. His 6.29 ERA across 71 games in the Majors across 103 innings pitched is not a very good mark.

Still, the former first-rounder was someone worth having some intrigue with, though his 7.00 ERA in five outings with the Phillies Triple-A affiliate, Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs, did not exactly help his case to stay on the roster.

Philadelphia is shaking things up recently, as they're trying to adjust the roster with Garcia potentially hitting the IL, and needing the extra roster spot for Hill in the wake of this White Sox trade.

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