The Phillies have officially reinstated shortstop Trea Turner from the injured list, a move that was anticipated over the weekend. In order to make room for Turner, outfielder Johan Rojas has been optioned to Triple-A Lehigh Valley.

Last summer, Rojas, now 23, made the jump to the majors from Double-A, skipping Triple-A altogether. Known for his speed and defensive prowess, Rojas showcased these skills in the latter half of the 2023 season. He stole 14 bases in 15 attempts and was credited with 15 defensive runs saved and six outs above average in center field.

The Phillies faced defensive challenges, especially in the outfield, with Bryce Harper returning from Tommy John surgery and Kyle Schwarber and Nick Castellanos, known for their subpar defense, manning the outfield corners.

Rojas exceeded expectations offensively, despite a high strikeout rate and low walk rate. His slash line of .302/.342/.430 resulted in a wRC+ of 109, largely supported by an unsustainable .410 BABIP.

This year, Rojas struggled to replicate his previous success, with decreased offensive output and defensive regression. Despite the team’s success, the outfield remained a weak spot, with Rojas contributing to the struggle. With outfielders like Castellanos, Whit Merrifield, and Cristian Pache also underperforming, the Phillies are looking to bolster their outfield depth.

Due to his performance, Rojas has been demoted to Triple-A, where he will look to regain his form. While the move was justified based on his lackluster season, it may impact his service time and potential free agency timeline.

With Turner back in the lineup, the Phillies will mix and match different outfield combinations to maximize their offensive potential. Marsh and Dahl provide left-handed hitting options, while others in the outfield roster bat right-handed, allowing for platooning strategies.