On Saturday, the Phillies announced they had acquired outfielder Kameron Misner from the Kansas City Royals in exchange for cash considerations.

Philadelphia designated outfielder Steward Berroa for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster.

Misner, 28, had been designated for assignment by the Royals on Wednesday. He struggled in a short major-league stint, batting .220 in 18 games, but put together a strong season at Triple-A Omaha.

In 63 games, Misner slashed .286/.378/.563 with 14 homers and 14 stolen bases.

The Phillies already have several right-handed hitting outfielders at Lehigh Valley, including Felix Reyes, Otto Kemp and Tommy Pham. Misner gives them a left-handed bat with athleticism.

It also gives them another option if they choose to strengthen the left-handed side of a platoon that has included Gabriel Rincones Jr. and Derek Hill.

Rincones has produced a .506 OPS in the majors while playing almost exclusively against right-handed pitching. Misner has hit .296/.391/.556 with 11 homers against righties at Triple-A this season.

Interim manager Don Mattingly has some familiarity with Misner from their time with the Marlins.

“I saw him in Miami,” Mattingly said. “He was one of the first-round picks. Big, physical kid. Can run, play the outfield, has power.”

The University of Missouri product was drafted with the 35th overall pick in 2019.

“He’s obviously had a lot more success in Triple A at this point than he has in the big leagues,” Mattingly said. “But it is a left-handed bat that we know can defend, who can play all three in the outfield.”

The Phillies’ outfield picture has already been more matchup-based than fixed. Hill has hit well enough since being acquired that the club has not viewed him strictly as a short-side platoon player, but his best career work has still come against left-handed pitching.

“If you look at all the numbers, you have to look at all of what’s going on,” Mattingly said. “For the most part, his career is turning to be a guy who hits left-handed pitching, plays all three outfield spots. Teams are always looking for that.”

Misner gives the Phillies “another option out there,” as Mattingly put it, especially with their left-handed outfield depth having thinned at different points this season.

OTHER NOTES

Tim Mayza will open Saturday night against the Yankees. The Phillies will use Brian Keller as the bulk pitcher behind him, with the 32-year-old right-hander set to make his major-league debut.

The decision was made with Keller in mind, more than anything the Yankees might do with their lineup.

“We felt like giving Keller the best chance to not have to run through [Ben] Rice, those guys,” Mattingly said.

Keller has a 2.06 ERA and a 0.99 WHIP in 10 starts with Triple-A Lehigh Valley. His path to the majors has included injuries, a stint in Japan and years in the minors.

“You always like guys that have stuck with it,” Mattingly said. “It’s probably easy to say, ‘I’ve had enough of it,’ if it’s not going great. But you always like the guys that hang around, play seven years of minor leagues, 10 years, finally get a shot.”

Mattingly has not seen much of Keller, but he knows the profile.

“A strike thrower,” Mattingly said. “A guy who fills up the zone.”

Keller also spoke with Mattingly about how pitching in Japan helped him.

“They believe in reps, throwing more,” Mattingly said. “It tells you a lot about pushing the body. You have to build to that.”

Tanner Banks remains shut down from throwing, but there is not a great deal of concern there.

“I wouldn’t say a setback,” Mattingly said. “I know he’s another week of no throw. That puts him in like three weeks of not throwing. And from there, that’s when it all starts.”

Speaking of injuries to the bullpen, Brad Keller will receive a second opinion on his torn right UCL on Monday.

Brandon Marsh was not in the lineup Saturday against a left-handed starter. Mattingly still thinks Marsh can handle that role when he is right, but the Phillies are trying to win games while the numbers against lefties lag behind.

“I do believe that he’s going to be a guy that can be an everyday guy,” Mattingly said. “But right now, it’s just not showing up in the numbers.”