Why Phillies are recalling Chase Shugart, not Alex McFarlane amid bullpen roster moves

The Philadelphia Phillies lost the series to the Toronto Blue Jays over the weekend, and one of the biggest storylines was the heavily taxed bullpen.

Caleb Kilian is now heading to the injured list, and is making for an even more worrying issue. But, as the Phillies announced, replacing Kilian isn't Alex McFarlane, the young reliever prospects, it's Chase Shugart.

Fans are understandably frustrated about this decision, but there's a good reason for why Shugart is getting the call Monday night and not McFarlane. With Andrew Painter on the mound, the Phillies need multi-inning guys tonight.

Why Phillies recalled Chase Shugart, not Alex McFarlane amid bullpen moves

"Prior to tonight's game against the St. Louis Cardinals, the Phillies placed RHP Caleb Kilian on the 15-day injured list with a left oblique strain. To fill his spot on the 26-man roster, the Phillies recalled RHP Chase Shugart from Lehigh Valley (AAA)," the Phillies announced Monday afternoon.

This decision from the Phillies was met with frustration from the fans, especially since Shugart recently lost the Saturday extra-inning game for the Phillies this past weekend against the Blue Jays.

But, there's a good reason why it's Shugart getting the call tonight and not McFarlane, who is a higher-upside reliever option for the Phillies.

Andrew Painter is on the mound Monday night, and with a heavily taxed bullpen, and Painter's likelihood not to go deep into the game, having multi-inning options out of the bullpen will be key.

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Alan Rangel should see a lot of work on Monday night, and Shugart will likely get into the game as well. Don Mattingly has to save his bullpen Monday night as much as possible, and that might require Shugart to go multiple innings.

Instead of using McFarlane in such a role, when he's not that kind of reliever, it would be far too risky for the Phillies.

Besides, they can send Rangel or Shugart back down Tuesday night, recall McFarlane, and have him join a, hopefully, rested bullpen.

Ideally, the Phillies don't have to use any of their regular relievers Monday night, relying fully on Painter, Rangel, and Shugart.

Of course, the Phillies could also be slow-playing McFarlane's introduction into the big leagues, but considering where the bullpen stands right now, the multi-inning reliever plan is more likely why the 25-year-old is not back in MLB just yet.

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