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Phillies Add Outfielder Dylan Carlson on Minor-League Deal

5/13/2026

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Summary

Carlson Signs Phillies

The Philadelphia Phillies signed 27-year-old outfielder Dylan Carlson to a minor-league deal and placed him at Triple-A Lehigh Valley.
Carlson, the Cardinals’ 2016 first-round pick, has a career .233 average and .682 OPS and posted a .294/.421/.451 line (.872 OPS) in 28 Triple-A games in 2025.
The contract does not count against the 40-man roster, providing the Phillies extra outfield depth and a bench option.

Summary

Phillies Open Fenway

The Phillies open a three-game series at Fenway Park against the Red Sox after beating the Rockies.
They are 19-22 through 41 games, second in the NL East, with a 7-3 run in their last ten.
Their road record in the past 17 away games is 7-10, prompting a trip to Pittsburgh after Boston.
Social-media users highlighted Carlson’s switch-hitting and raised concerns about the Phillies’ outfield depth.

Summary

Carlson Joins Phillies

Carlson signed with the Phillies after Oscar Mercado was released from Triple-A.
Carlson is hitting .272 with 12 homers and 58 RBIs against left-handed pitchers, exceeding his .233 career average.
He went 0-4 in three Cubs games after posting a .203 average with six homers for the Orioles last season.
Felix Reyes, 25, remains the Phillies’ struggling platoon outfielder, while Berroa, Rincones Jr., and Kemp stay on the 40-man roster.

History

Historical Context

MLB’s 1998 expansion, the first since the 1993 Rockies-Marlins addition, added the Arizona Diamondbacks and Tampa Bay Devil Rays after each paid a $130 million fee. That financial model is echoed in 2024 when the Philadelphia Phillies signed 27-year-old outfielder Dylan Carlson to a minor-league contract, preserving roster flexibility for a playoff push.

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Carlson Signs Phillies

The Philadelphia Phillies signed 27-year-old outfielder Dylan Carlson to a minor-league deal and placed him at Triple-A Lehigh Valley.
Carlson, the Cardinals’ 2016 first-round pick, has a career .233 average and .682 OPS and posted a .294/.421/.451 line (.872 OPS) in 28 Triple-A games in 2025.
The contract does not count against the 40-man roster, providing the Phillies extra outfield depth and a bench option.

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