The Philadelphia Phillies will not have newly acquired infielder Luis Arráez available for Monday's opener, but the three-time batting champion is expected to join the club Tuesday after completing his travel following the trade deadline deal with the San Francisco Giants.
Philadelphia finalized the blockbuster trade Monday, and independent baseball reporter Francys Romero reported that Arráez is scheduled to arrive in Philadelphia before reporting to the club Tuesday morning. His debut is expected to come in the Phillies' next game as they continue their push for a National League postseason berth.
The Phillies entered Monday at 59-53, sitting second in the National League East and holding a Wild Card position while chasing the division-leading Atlanta Braves. The move comes after Philadelphia dropped nine of its previous 13 games, prompting president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski to add one of baseball's premier contact hitters before the deadline.
Arráez has once again been among baseball's most consistent hitters this season, batting .324 with 136 hits, four home runs, 43 RBIs and a .360 on-base percentage in 105 games. He has struck out only 21 times in 420 at-bats, giving Philadelphia another high-contact option at the top of its lineup.
The 29-year-old is expected to be ready immediately after dealing with only minor leg cramps over the weekend. The issue did not require an injured list stint, and Romero reported Arráez is on track to report without restrictions.
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Philadelphia acquired Arráez along with right-hander Caleb Kilian in exchange for top pitching prospect Ramon Marquez and reliever Marty Gair. The move gives the Phillies another experienced bat as they look to strengthen an offense entering the season's final two months.
How manager Tony Vitello aligns his infield remains one of the biggest questions following the trade. Arráez has primarily played second base and is expected to begin his Phillies tenure there once he officially joins the active roster.
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