One of the regular members of the Phillies’ 2023 bullpen has found success outside of the majors.
Dylan Covey, the club’s primary option in lopsided games for much of last year, hasn’t appeared in a big-league game in 2024. But, after an injury to start the season, he’s returning to form in Triple-A Lehigh Valley.
In 13 innings across 13 appearances with Lehigh Valley, Covey has a 1.38 ERA with two holds and two saves. He has 15 strikeouts to seven walks. He’s pitched impressively while proving himself healthy and capable of shutting down opposing hitters in the International League.
Covey, 33, missed a majority of this season with a right shoulder strain he suffered in the spring. He started rehabbing in the minor leagues in late July, joining the IronPigs on Aug. 8. When it was time for his rehab stint to end, the Phillies outrighted Covey off the 40-man roster and sent him to Lehigh Valley permanently on Aug. 27. The veteran right-hander has shined in relief since.
Philadelphia claimed Covey off waivers from the Los Angeles Dodgers last May, in need of a starting pitcher to plug into the rotation. After one solid bulk appearance out of the bullpen, the Phillies sent Covey to the mound against the Braves on Sunday Night Baseball for his first and only start with the team; he was promptly shelled, allowing seven runs, five earned, while recording just two outs.
From there, Covey’s results improved as he turned in a productive tenure as the Phillies’ long reliever and mop-up man. He often only entered once the game was virtually decided, but the righty bounced back from his difficult start to post a 3.69 ERA in 28 games with the Phillies. He did not appear on the postseason roster, however.
Covey appeared poised to compete for a bullpen spot in the spring before he began dealing with the shoulder issues. The injury left him on the outside looking in as the Phillies’ major-league rotation took shape following the trade deadline. José Ruiz emerged as a reliable bulk and middle reliever.
A six-year big leaguer with a career 6.18 ERA, Covey’s performance in Triple-A to end the year could help him find further opportunities in the future. Relievers that can take down multiple innings are valuable to a club, and the right-hander has been able to competently handle both one-inning and bulk innings at the major-league and minor-league levels since joining the Phillies organization. There may no longer be a spot for him in Philadelphia, but he’s giving himself a better chance for another team to give him a look.
A journeyman to this point in his career, maybe a new club will need Covey’s services next season. He’ll have six more games in the Triple-A season to show what he’s got before then.
