When the Phillies officially acquired Justin Bour from the Marlins Friday, they designated pitcher Jake Thompson for assignment to free up a 40-man roster spot. Bour is expected to join the team in San Diego Saturday, meaning someone has to be optioned to the minors. The team could simply send a reliever down, but that would leave them with seven for the first time all year.
Instead, the club will likely have to make a tough choice between Scott Kingery and J.P. Crawford. Kingery has lost the starting shortstop role to deadline acquisition Asdrubal Cabrera, while Crawford just returned from the disabled list Friday.