Phillies add Herrera to roster for 1st time since 2019 suspension

The Philadelphia Phillies added 2016 All-Star outfielder Odubel Herrera to their active roster on Monday.

Herrera will be making his first major-league appearance since receiving an 85-game suspension for violating MLB's joint domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse policy in July 2019.

Manager Joe Girardi announced Herrera will be the Phillies' everyday center fielder going forward. He'll hit seventh on Monday against the St. Louis Cardinals.

"We just felt it was time," Girardi said, according to Matt Gelb of The Athletic.

Although he was in the middle of a five-year, $30.5-million contract, the Phillies designated Herrera for assignment last January and eventually removed him from their 40-man roster. He was invited to big-league spring training this year.

The 29-year-old is earning $10 million this season, the final guaranteed year of his contract (Philadelphia owns two club options in 2022 and 2023). He's a lifetime .276/.333/.423 hitter with 60 homers, 233 RBIs, and 56 stolen bases.

Philadelphia optioned outfielder Mickey Moniak to its alternate training site in a corresponding roster move. Additionally, the team activated left-handers Jose Alvarado and Matt Moore from the injured list. Pitchers Bailey Falter and Spencer Howard were also sent to the alternate site.