Phils DFA Quinn, claim López off waivers
PHILADELPHIA -- Roman Quinn could dazzle Phillies fans at times with his elite speed and arm in the outfield. But he never could stay on the field long enough to take off as an everyday player.
So, it was no surprise that on Monday the Phillies designated Quinn for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster for right-hander Yoan López, whom they claimed off waivers from Atlanta. López, 28, is 2-8 with a 4.25 ERA in 113 appearances over parts of four seasons with Arizona from 2018-21. He had a 6.57 ERA in 13 appearances in 2021. The Phillies have been building bullpen depth this offseason by making waiver claims and minor trades, although to this point, they have not landed the impact arms or bats they want before Spring Training.
Quinn’s departure leaves Ranger Suárez as the organization’s longest tenured player. He signed with the organization as an amateur free agent in 2012. The Phillies drafted Quinn in the second round of the 2011 Draft.
Quinn, 28, batted .173 with a .595 OPS in 28 games before he ruptured his left Achilles tendon in May and had surgery in June.
Recovery is expected to be 9-12 months.
Quinn batted .228 with a .661 OPS in 512 plate appearances over parts of five seasons from 2016-21. His health history and salary arbitration eligibility made him likely to be non-tendered before Tuesday’s 8 p.m. ET deadline to offer contracts to players under team control. Over the years, Quinn spent time on the injured list because of oblique strains, groin strains, a sprained finger, a concussion, a sprained elbow, a strained quadriceps and a fractured wrist.
He ruptured his right Achilles during offseason workouts following the 2013 season with Class A Lakewood. He returned to action in May 2014 with Class A Clearwater.