GOOD NEWS: Dahl has finally shown Phillies after the last game that he can…

He joked a few hours later that he felt like he was going to pass out while rounding first base because it was his first at-bat in five days. Like a lot of players in the Phillies’ clubhouse, Dahl had struggled with a sickness over the week that prevented him from playing for a few days. It was his first time playing since Sunday against the Braves in North Port. He batted eighth after starting in left field.

Dahl is vying for the last bench position with the Phillies while in camp as a non-roster invitee with a minor league contract. Only one bench slot would be available for a group that includes Weston Wilson, Cristian Pache, Jake Cave, Dahl, and a few other long shots if Johan Rojas makes the Opening Day roster. There would be two bench slots available if Rojas does not make the squad and instead starts the season at Triple A, which would increase the likelihood that someone like Dahl makes the roster.

Rob Thomson, the manager, stated, “He’s been great.” In the few at-bats he’s had, he’s actually looked fairly decent against left-handed pitching. He provides us with additional depth and options.”

On April 1st, Dahl turns 30. With Colorado, he hit.297/.346/.521 from 2016 to 2019 and was selected to the National League All-Star squad in 2019 after hitting.302 with a career-high.877 OPS in 413 plate appearances.

His professional trajectory was changed by a shoulder injury. He battled through the shortened 2020 season, and in December of that year, the Rockies released him, citing pandemic cost-cutting as the reason.

He remarked on Friday, “It just took a long time to get right.” I believe that things started to feel better about 2022. I’ve performed admirably in Triple A; all it takes is seizing the chance and seizing it when it presents itself.”

Yes, he has achieved Triple A status. The Dodgers’ system had Dahl hitting.282/.354/.493 at Triple A last summer, but they were loaded and never called him up. In 2022, he played for the Brewers’ Triple A affiliate and hit.294/.357/.468; nonetheless, he did not appear in the main leagues.”Especially against right-handed pitching, I feel like I’ve hit everywhere I’ve gone,” he stated. Finding the right opportunity is difficult, and once you do, you must seize it. That’s how the game works. All I have to do is keep trying, and maybe it will work.

“This is my 12th spring training so I’m used to it, especially these last couple of years trying to battle for a job. I think the biggest thing is trying to have good at-bats and hit balls hard. Whatever the numbers are, the numbers are, but they’re watching the quality of the at-bat.” Dahl did major damage against righties from 2016-19 in the majors and has continued to perform against opposite-handed pitching at Triple A. He hit .288 with an .880 OPS vs. righties last season and had similar numbers the year before.

That would be a valuable addition to the Phillies’ bench. Whether it’s Dahl or Cave, a lefty-hitting bench player would appear required given the left-right balance of the rest of the roster.”The amount of really good players here — the more good players, I feel like I can up my game,” he stated. “Just try to follow these men and carry out their actions. There are a lot of really good players here, and they succeed, which is what I want too.

“I’m just trying to fit in and vibe with the guys as much as I can. Winning team, winning culture. Everything is going smoothly.In his six Grapefruit League games with the Phillies, Dahl has started four of them. He came off the bench and homered in the other two games.

A player on the bubble needs to demonstrate to his front office and management that he can perform in the role he’s likely to be called upon at this time of year. Being able to pinch hit or come off the bench and hit is a quality that not all players have. It will require more than just practicing a few times in camp, but things are going well thus far.

Dahl figures to contribute at some point even if he doesn’t make the Opening Day roster and stays with the Phillies, who employed 20 different position players in the previous season and 26 in 2022.”When I don’t start and come into the game, I take it very seriously to show I can come off the bench, too,” he stated. I consider that to be significant. For me right now in spring training, every at-bat counts.”