Phillies Notes: Six-man rotation likely for Phils

BOSTON - The Phillies appear to be gearing toward a six-man rotation as their starter Wednesday night is listed by the team as "TBD."

The home game against Atlanta falls on Adam Morgan's turn in the rotation, but there is a strong possibility that it could be Jerome Williams on the mound instead. Morgan then would pitch Thursday, giving him five days of rest between starts.

The six-man rotation - which would likely include Morgan, Williams, Aaron Harang, Aaron Nola, Jerad Eickhoff, and Alec Asher - would provide a respite for the team's four rookie starting pitchers.

"For everybody, it's good this late in the season," interim manager Pete Mackanin said. "Especially, the young guys who are going to get extra days in between. They're not used to going this late into the season. They're not used to playing in September."

The Phillies are also monitoring Nola's workload. The righthander has thrown 162 innings this season between the minors and majors. The Phillies will likely shut him down for the season at roughly 185 innings, which allows him three or four more starts. The six-man rotation would give Nola a better chance to finish the season, as his fourth start this month would fall on Sept. 30.

"The inning totals are going to be important to keep an eye on," Mackanin said. "So I think it will take us deeper toward the end of the season."

For the second time in three games, Cody Asche started at third base. His transition to left field will be paused for the rest of the season because the team wants to get Asche regular playing time.

The final five weeks of the season will be vital for Asche as he tries to carve out a role on next year's team. His best chance appears to be as a utility player.

"It's important for him to have a good month," Mackanin said.

Left field appears to belong to Darnell Sweeney, acquired from the Dodgers as part of the Chase Utley trade. Maikel Franco would be manning third base if he was not sidelined with a sore left wrist. Franco has played some first base, but a position change does not look imminent. His arm is too strong to waste at first.

Asche is batting .248 with a .295 on-base percentage. He opened the season as the team's starting third baseman. He was sent down to triple A in May to learn to play left field when Franco joined the Phillies.

"I thought I handled it well," Asche said about his time in left field. "Was I perfect out there? No. Did I do some things good? Yeah. Is there room for improvement? I think so. I think I can improve out there. After the season we'll see what their plans are going forward."

- Matt Breen