Phillies bring back Brewer Hicklen in trade with Tigers, DFA Ryan Cusick

Well, we have our first Phillies trade of the season. Dave Dombrowski spun the minor-league carousel and acquired Brewer Hicklen from the Detroit Tigers on Saturday in exchange for cash considerations.

Brewer Hicklen was immediately optioned to Triple-A Lehigh Valley. To clear a spot on the 40-man roster, Philly designated right-handed pitcher Ryan Cusick for assignment.

Phillies bring back Brewer Hicklen in trade with Tigers, DFA Ryan Cusick

The Phillies have acquired outfielder Brewer Hicklen from the Detroit Tigers in exchange for cash considerations and optioned him to triple-A Lehigh Valley. pic.twitter.com/7isKSgCsYA

— John Clark (@JClarkNBCS) July 26, 2025

This is Brewer Hicklen’s second go-round with the Phillies.

He spent a brief stint in the org last summer after coming over from Kansas City, and now he’s back to add some outfield depth to an organization that’s already dealt with its fair share of bumps and bruises in the outfield this season.

Brewer Hicklen 🪢 it up at 1️⃣ pic.twitter.com/LHo91L55LW

— Toledo Mud Hens (@MudHens) July 12, 2025

Hicklen, 29, brings a mix of pop and speed. Across 755 minor league games, he’s posted a solid .820 OPS with 120 home runs and 500 runs scored. In Triple-A Toledo this year, Hicklen hit .227 with eight bombs and 31 RBI in 61 games.

The Phillies acquired OF Brewer Hicklen from the Tigers for cash. Hicklen batted .227 with eight home runs and 31 RBI in Triple-A. He was optioned to Lehigh Valley.

The Phillies also DFA’d RHP Ryan Cusick to make room for Hicklen on the 40-man roster. pic.twitter.com/YzqaeS34nT

— Andrew Coté (@acote_88) July 26, 2025

His lone big-league appearance for Detroit came on May 8, where he started in center and went 2-for-3 with a walk and a steal. You could do worse for an emergency outfielder.

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As for Cusick, the former first-rounder (24th overall in 2021 by the Braves) just couldn’t stick. The Phillies snagged him off waivers from the White Sox in early June and gave him a look in Lehigh Valley, where he made six appearances. With a crowded 40-man and Dombrowski always hunting for leverage, Cusick’s days were numbered.

The move likely signals the Phillies are still tinkering ahead of the deadline and are laying the groundwork for a bigger roster shake-up. Stay tuned.

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