The Phillies have reinstated right-hander Noah Song from the 60-day injured list and designated him for assignment, the team announced Saturday. Here’s what you need to know:
- The Phillies had until Saturday to activate Song from his minor-league rehab assignment and, as a Rule 5 draft pick, either add him to their active roster or trade him.
- Song, 26, has been attempting to reach the majors after four years without baseball while he served in the Navy.
- The Phillies recently sent Song to Triple-A Lehigh Valley despite two so-so appearances in Double A to see him face more experienced hitters.
The Phillies recalled RHP Noah Song from his rehabilitation assignment, reinstated him from the 60-day injured list, and designated him for assignment.
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) July 29, 2023
Backstory
Before he served his country, Song was considered one of the finest collegiate pitchers in the nation. He fell to the fourth round of the 2019 MLB amateur draft — where the Red Sox selected him — because teams were concerned about his potential service commitments. That year, the Department of Defense denied Song’s waiver request to delay his service requirements.
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Even if they have to wait for him, Red Sox saw too much they liked in Navy’s Noah Song
Boston left Song unprotected before the Rule 5 draft in 2022 because there was never a thought that anyone would select a player whose status was a complete unknown. Then, former Boston executive Dave Dombrowski surprised everyone by taking Song for a $100,000 fee, and the Phillies subsequently placed him on the military list.
In February, Song was approved to move from active duty to the select reserves. He immediately joined the Phillies at spring training in Clearwater, Fla., and he’s spent time with the club’s Single A, Double A and Triple A affiliates this season.
Song last pitched Wednesday night for Lehigh Valley and could not complete two innings — something the Phillies wanted to see because he’d serve as a long man in the majors. He allowed a home run to the first batter he faced and walked three others. His fastball averaged 92 mph and topped at 93 mph. He was charged with five runs.
Song has a 7.36 ERA after appearing in eight minor-league games this season.
Required reading
(Photo: Chris Carlson / AP Images)
