Phillies lose Cody Asche to left hamstring strain, could call up third base prospect Maikel Franco

The Phillies announced an unfortunate roster move this afternoon …

3B @cody_smasche has been placed on the 15-day DL with a left hamstring strain. #PhilliesUpdate

— Phillies (@Phillies) May 25, 2014

To fill his spot on the 25-man roster, RHP @JustinDeFratus was recalled from @IronPigs.

— Phillies (@Phillies) May 25, 2014

Asche is batting .258/.346/.425 with four home runs and 18 RBI in 40 total games this season. Philly will use a platoon of Cesar Hernandez and Reid Brignac at third base in his absence initially, but top third base prospect Maikel Franco, who has caught fire at Triple-A Lehigh Valley, may become an option soon.

Franco, a 21-year-old Dominican, had 31 homers and 103 RBI last season in 134 minor league games.

Amaro said it is possible Maikel Franco could come up. “kicking it around,” he said.

— Jim Salisbury (@JSalisburyCSN) May 25, 2014

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The Rangers have signed catcher Jeff Mathis to a two-year contract, per Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. The deal is pending a physical.

Mathis turns 36 years old at the end of March and has a career .564 OPS across 14 seasons, but he is well-regarded for his defense and ability to handle a pitching staff.

The arrival of Mathis could mean the Rangers are moving on from Robinson Chirinos behind the plate, as he is now a free agent. The Rangers could go after another catcher to complement Mathis or just have Isiah Kiner-Falefa back up Mathis. Though Kiner-Falefa mostly played elsewhere, including three spots across the infield, he did rack up over 300 defensive innings behind the plate in 2018.

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