Phillies call up Ramos, option Davis to Triple-A

NEW YORK -- The Phillies continue to shuffle the roster, lineup and bullpen following a difficult week of injuries.

Philadelphia optioned left-hander Austin Davis to Triple-A Lehigh Valley and recalled right-hander Edubray Ramos before Monday night’s series opener against the Mets at Citi Field. Davis joined the team Saturday following a flurry of moves that placed shortstop Jean Segura (strained left hamstring), utility player Scott Kingery (strained right hamstring) and right-hander Victor Arano (right elbow inflammation) on the 10-day injured list.

Davis threw 43 pitches in Sunday’s loss to the Rockies, so the Phillies needed a fresh arm in the bullpen. Ramos opened the season with the Phillies, but he got optioned April 11 to make room for Arano.

Segura, Kingery and Arano joined Odubel Herrera (strained right hamstring) and right-hander David Robertson (right elbow soreness) as Phillies who have been placed on the IL in the past eight days. Right-hander Tommy Hunter (strained right forearm) opened the season on the IL. He has since been moved to the 60-day IL, although not because he suffered a setback. The team needed to clear a spot on the 40-man roster for Phil Gosselin, who is the team’s shortstop until Segura returns.

Segura is expected to be activated Saturday. It is unclear when Kingery and Herrera might return.

“It'll be a couple of days before we get a timetable,” Kapler said about Kingery. “Even then, it might be a little bit loose.”

Kapler said about Herrera: “He could be 10 days. He could be a few days longer. Hamstring strains, they're tricky.”

Arano is scheduled to see team physician Michael Ciccotti in the next two days. Based on the results of an ultrasound, he could have a MRI exam.

Davis posted a 4.15 ERA in 32 relief appearances last season as a rookie. He pitched two scoreless innings Sunday, although he allowed three hits and two walks. He struck out three.

"We would like Austin Davis to give us the confidence that he can put the ball in the zone when he wants to put the ball in the zone,” Kapler said. “It's a challenge for him. The stuff has proven to be good. So what we need from him the next time we bring him up -- and there will be a next time -- is for him to come in and show us that he has the ability to throw strikes at will. It's really that simple.”