PHILADELPHIA — May 21, 2025 — In a move that underscores the Philadelphia Phillies’ growing concerns over their struggling bullpen, the team announced Wednesday the signing of veteran reliever Lucas Sims, a former mainstay with the Cincinnati Reds and briefly a contributor for the Atlanta Braves.
Sims, 30, joins the Phillies on a minor-league deal with an invitation to major league camp, though his path to Citizens Bank Park could be expedited given Philadelphia’s recent bullpen woes. The right-hander was released earlier this month after a disappointing stint with a National League club this spring, but the Phillies are betting on a bounce-back from a once-promising arm.
Once considered a key high-leverage option in Cincinnati, Sims posted a career-best 2.45 ERA over 25 games during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season. However, injuries and inconsistency have plagued him since. In 2024, he struggled to a 5.68 ERA across 39 appearances, leading to his exit from the Reds’ plans. A brief look from the Braves this offseason ended without a roster spot.
The Phillies, however, are desperate. After entering the 2025 season with championship aspirations, their bullpen has faltered through the season’s first two months. Once-reliable arms like Seranthony Domínguez and Gregory Soto have battled both command issues and injury, while offseason additions have failed to solidify the late innings.
“This is a low-risk move that gives us another potential option,” said Phillies GM Sam Fuld. “Lucas has shown he can be effective when healthy, and we believe he still has something left in the tank.”
Sims will report to Triple-A Lehigh Valley, where the Phillies hope he can regain his velocity and command. The team is expected to continue surveying the free-agent market and exploring trade options ahead of the summer deadline, but the signing of Sims signals the start of what may be a string of unconventional bullpen experiments.
For now, the Phillies are rolling the dice on a once-promising arm in the hope that lightning can strike — or at least hold a lead or two.