First noted in the Philliesphere by Matt Gelb of TheAthletic, the Phillies have signed right-handed reliever Cody Stashak to a minor-league deal. Hailing from Somers Point in South Jersey, Stashak last pitched in the majors in 2022 for the San Francisco Giants.

He displayed great command in limited action from 2019 to 2022 dues to various lower back injuries and a torn labrum in his right shoulder. Those are pretty significant injuries for a pitcher, especially one at 30 years old. Stashak spent 2024 in AAA where he was 22 earned runs on 45 hits in 36.1 innings. He did however strikeout 44 to just 12 walks.

It is never bad to have some upside relievers with MLB experienced stashed in AAA. Perhaps the Phillies see something they can fix to alleviate the hits allowed and a different way to attack the zone. The Phillies will need arms in Spring Training if Spencer Turnbull, Jeff Hoffman and Carlos Estevez aren’t retained.