Tyler Phillips: Everything you need to know

Phillips is slated to start Thursday's game against the Diamondbacks in Miami. After piggybacking Ryan Gusto for 4.2 innings in relief in his most recent appearance last Friday versus the Rays, Phillips will move back into a starting role for his upcoming turn through the rotation. The right-hander has covered at least three frames in each of his last four appearances (two starts), going 0-1 with a 3.31 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 11:7 K:BB across 16.1 innings during that span.

Phillips didn't factor into the decision in Friday's loss to the Rays, giving up three runs on seven hits and three walks over 4.2 relief innings, He struck out three. The right-hander worked in tandem with Ryan Gusto, who got the start and took the loss after coughing up three runs of his own in just two innings. Phillips wound up tossing 82 pitches (50 strikes) to help save the rest of the bullpen, and he even took a comebacker off the foot from Yandy Diaz in the fifth inning but was able to stay in the game. The Marlins' injury-depleted staff can ill afford to lose another arm, and assuming the foot isn't an issue, Phillips should get another turn as a starter or bulk reliever during next week's home series against the Diamondbacks. Over 18 appearances (two starts) this season, he carries a 2.08 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 36:22 K:BB in 43.1 innings.

Phillips will enter Friday's game versus the Rays at some point after starting pitcher Ryan Gusto, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports. Each of Phillips' last two appearances were traditional starts, but he'll come out of the bullpen Friday. The right-hander went five innings and threw 72 pitches his last time out, so he'll likely provide length Friday in what could be a piggyback start with Gusto.