The Phillies, upon learning that their starting left fielder would miss another two or three weeks, searched for a solution to fill their depleted bench. Rather than promote from within, they acquired Ty Kelly in a cash transaction Saturday.
Kelly, a 28-year-old veteran of 40 big-league games, will join the Phillies on Tuesday. This was his second time on waivers in the season's first three weeks.
The Phillies had an internal option in Jesmuel Valentin, a 22-year-old infield prospect who has started well at triple-A Lehigh Valley.
"He would have been a candidate for sure," Phillies general manager Matt Klentak said.