| News |
|---|
|
Otto Kemp Otto Kemp Set for two sugeries
Fri, Oct 17, 2025, 8:52 AM
Kemp will undergo surgery to repair a fracture in his left knee cap and an additional operation to clean out damage to his left shoulder, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Kemp chipped a piece of bone off his knee cap when he fouled a ball off the area on June 17, but he missed only one game and then played though the injury for the remainder of the season. He also evidently played with a shoulder issue, though it's unclear when he first injured the shoulder. Kemp slashed .234/.298/.411 with eight homers and two steals over 62 games in the majors in 2025 and posted a .987 OPS with 16 home runs and 13 stolen bases at Triple-A Lehigh Valley. It's not clear when Kemp's knee and shoulder surgeries will occur, nor is known how long his rehab will take. Gelb writes that the Phillies are "bullish" on Kemp and view him as "more than" a bench player, though it's uncertain where exactly he fits into the team's 2026 plans. Kemp made starts at third base, first base, second base and left field for the Phillies this season. |
|
Jose Alvarado Jose Alvarado Expected back with Phillies in 2026
Thu, Oct 16, 2025, 12:25 PM
Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said Thursday he would be "surprised" if Alvarado (forearm) is not back next season, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: The Phillies have a $9.5 million club option on Alvarado for 2026, and while Dombrowski did not confirm the option would be exercised, it seems that is the most likely scenario. Alvarado served an 80-game PED suspension and also missed time late in the year with a forearm injury, resulting in him appearing in only 28 games. The lefty remained effective when on the bump, posting a 3.81 ERA and 32:7 K:BB over 26 innings. It's not clear whether the forearm issue will affect Alvarado's offseason throwing, but Dombrowski did not mention any health concerns with the reliever moving forward. |
|
Harrison Bader Harrison Bader On bench for Game 4
Thu, Oct 9, 2025, 2:06 PM
Bader (groin) isn't in the lineup for Game 4 of the NLDS against the Dodgers on Thursday, Lochlahn March of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.
Analysis: Bader will miss a third consecutive start after suffering a left groin injury in Game 1, but he'll continue to be available off the bench. If the Phillies are able to force a Game 5, the team is hopeful that an extra day of rest between games would enable the 31-year-old to return to the lineup in the series finale. |
|
Ranger Suarez Ranger Suarez Goes five strong in bulk relief
Thu, Oct 9, 2025, 8:53 AM
Suarez (1-0) spun five innings of one-run ball out of the bullpen to pick up the victory in Wednesday's 8-2 win over the Dodgers in Game 3 of the NLDS.
Analysis: Aaron Nola drew the start for the Phillies but was lifted after two scoreless frames in favor of Suarez. The left-hander served up a solo home run to the first batter he faced in Tommy Edman, but Suarez settled in after that, holding the Dodgers off the scoreboard on four hits and one walk while striking out five. It's unlikely Suarez will be available to pitch for the rest of the NLDS, but he'll either be part of the Phillies' rotation or continue to operate in a bulk-relief role should his team advance to the NLCS. |
|
Aaron Nola Aaron Nola Abbreviated Game 3 outing
Thu, Oct 9, 2025, 8:46 AM
Nola was lifted after tossing two scoreless innings in Wednesday's NLDS Game 3 win over the Dodgers.
Analysis: Nola pitched around a triple and a hit-by-pitch in the first inning before spinning a 1-2-3 second inning. Phillies manager Rob Thomson then pulled him in favor of Ranger Suarez, as it was clear the skipper never had any intention of letting Nola face the Dodgers' batting order a second time. Nola threw only 31 pitches in the outing, so he should be available to pitch for the Phillies again soon, though it's unclear whether Thomson plans to use the righty again during the NLDS. |
|
Kyle Schwarber Kyle Schwarber Powers Phillies to Game 3 victory
Thu, Oct 9, 2025, 8:30 AM
Schwarber went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and a two-run blast in Wednesday's NLDS Game 3 win over the Dodgers.
Analysis: Schwarber got the scoring started for the Phillies by tying the game up with a mammoth 455-foot solo homer in the top of the fourth inning off of Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Then, in his final plate appearance of the night in the top of the eighth, he went deep off of Clayton Kershaw with a man on base. The two-homer night pushed Schwarber's career postseason home run total to 23, moving him past Bernie Williams for third all-time, trailing only Manny Ramirez (29) and Jose Altuve (27). |
|
Harrison Bader Harrison Bader Absent from Game 3 lineup
Wed, Oct 8, 2025, 5:26 PM
Bader (groin) isn't in the lineup for Game 3 of the NLDS against the Dodgers on Wednesday, Lochlahn March of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.
Analysis: Bader was a game-time decision heading into Game 3 due to a groin injury he suffered in Game 1, and the Phillies have officially decided to keep the speedy outfielder on the bench for another day. He picked up a single off the bench in Game 2 and will likely be available to serve as a pinch hitter again Wednesday. |
|
Harrison Bader Harrison Bader Game 3 status uncertain
Tue, Oct 7, 2025, 5:18 PM
Manager Rob Thomson said Tuesday that Bader (groin) will be a game-time decision to start Game 3 of the NLDS on Wednesday, Lochlahn March of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.
Analysis: After exiting Game 1 early due to a groin injury, Bader came off the bench to deliver a pinch-hit single in the ninth inning of Game 2. If the Phillies decide to keep him out of the starting lineup Wednesday, the 31-year-old would presumably still be available to serve as a pinch hitter again. |
|
Jesus Luzardo Jesus Luzardo Hit with tough-luck loss
Mon, Oct 6, 2025, 9:00 PM
Luzardo was saddled with the loss in Game 2 of the National League Division Series against the Dodgers on Monday after allowing two runs on three hits and one walk while striking out five across six innings.
Analysis: Luzardo dealt with traffic in the first inning, surrendering a hit and a walk, but he managed to escape without giving up a run. He would proceed to fire four perfect innings, striking out four along the way. Luzardo again found trouble in the top of the seventh, giving up a pair of base knocks before being lifted from the game. Both of those runners would score later in the inning, holding Luzardo accountable for the loss. The southpaw is unlikely to be available for a start until Game 5, though it's possible he could eat an inning later in the week in LA. |
|
Ranger Suarez Ranger Suarez Will pitch in Game 3
Mon, Oct 6, 2025, 8:49 PM
Suarez (thigh) will follow starter Aaron Nola in Game 3 of the National League Division Series against the Dodgers on Wednesday, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Suarez hasn't pitched since his last start of the regular season Sept. 27 against the Twins, when he exited after being struck by a comebacker. Nola will be tasked with starting Wednesday's matchup, but considering the Phillies are facing elimination, Suarez could be called on at any time. |
|
Aaron Nola Aaron Nola Getting nod in Game 3
Mon, Oct 6, 2025, 8:44 PM
Nola will start Game 3 of the National League Division Series against the Dodgers on Wednesday, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Nola will more than likely be on a short leash considering Wednesday's matchup is a must-win for the Phillies. The right-hander managed to end the regular season on a high note, last appearing Sept. 26, when he allowed only one run on two hits while fanning nine across eight innings. Ranger Suarez (thigh) will follow Nola on Wednesday, per Gelb. |
|
Otto Kemp Otto Kemp Drawing start in left field
Mon, Oct 6, 2025, 1:46 PM
Kemp will start in left field and bat ninth Monday in Game 2 of the NLDS versus the Dodgers.
Analysis: With Harrison Bader (groin) out of the lineup, Brandon Marsh will shift to center field and Kemp will enter the fray in left field. It will be the postseason debut for Kemp, who slashed .234/.298/.411 with eight home runs in 62 regular-season contests for the Phillies. |
|
Harrison Bader Harrison Bader Not in lineup but could pinch hit
Mon, Oct 6, 2025, 1:21 PM
Bader (groin) is not in the lineup Monday for Game 2 of the NLDS against the Dodgers.
Analysis: Bader had to exit Game 1 on Saturday with left groin tightness and is not well enough to return to the lineup. Phillies manager Rob Thomson said that Bader will hit in the cage pregame and could be available off the bench as a pinch hitter, Charlotte Varnes of The Athletic reports. Brandon Marsh will start in center field and will be flanked by Nick Castellanos in right field and Otto Kemp in left field. |
|
Harrison Bader Harrison Bader Hopeful for Game 2
Sun, Oct 5, 2025, 11:04 AM
An MRI on Bader's left groin didn't reveal a tear or major strain, and the team remains hopeful he'll play in Monday's Game 2 against the Dodgers, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.
Analysis: Bader departed Game 1 with what was initially deemed a hamstring strain, but manager Rob Thompson clarified postgame that it's a groin injury. Bader's MRI results are encouraging, as it seems he's avoided a significant injury, and he'll have a shot at returning for Game 2. If he can't go, Brandon Marsh would be the likeliest candidate to start in center field. |
|
Harrison Bader Harrison Bader Left with groin tightness
Sat, Oct 4, 2025, 9:11 PM
Manager Rob Thomson said after Saturday's loss to the Dodgers that Bader was removed from the game due to groin tightness, Lochlahn March of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.
Analysis: The Phillies initially announced Bader was removed from the contest due to a left hamstring strain, but Thomson clarified it's a groin issue. It's unclear if Bader will be able to recover enough in time to play in Monday's Game 2 of the National League Division Series against the Dodgers. Both Brandon Marsh and Max Kepler saw time in center field following Bader's departure Saturday. |
|
Cristopher Sanchez Cristopher Sanchez Fans eight in no-decision
Sat, Oct 4, 2025, 8:59 PM
Sanchez did not factor in the decision during Saturday's 5-3 loss to the Dodgers in Game 1 of the National League Division Series. He allowed two earned runs on four hits and two walks while striking out eight across 5.2 innings.
Analysis: Sanchez struck out two in the top of the first inning and cruised through five shutout frames before retiring the first two batters in the top of the sixth. Things then unraveled for the Phillies, as Sanchez walked Freddie Freeman before allowing two-out hits to Tommy Edman and Enrique Hernandez. Hernandez's double plated two, and Sanchez was pulled from the game in favor of David Robertson, who was able to get Max Muncy to end the threat. Matt Strahm, however, surrendered a go-ahead three-run home run to Teoscar Hernandez in the seventh inning. Sanchez looked untouchable prior to the sixth, and he should be available to make his next start Thursday in Game 4 if the series gets to that point. |
|
Harrison Bader Harrison Bader Departs Game 1 with injury
Sat, Oct 4, 2025, 8:13 PM
Bader left Saturday's NLDS Game 1 matchup versus the Dodgers with a strained left hamstring, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Nick Castellanos pinch-hit for Bader in the seventh inning and would take over in right with Brandon Marsh moving over to center. Bader had been productive in the game with a sacrifice fly in the second and also reached base on a hit-by-pitch. The outfielder will have an extra day to get healthy since the Phillies and Dodgers don't play the second game of the series until Monday. |
|
Nick Castellanos Nick Castellanos Not in Game 1 lineup
Sat, Oct 4, 2025, 1:49 PM
Castellanos isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Dodgers, Charlotte Varnes of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: After slashing .250/.281/.385 across 57 plate appearances in the final month of the regular season, Castellanos will retreat to the bench for the first game of the Phillies' postseason run. Max Kepler will start in right field and bat seventh. |
|
Matt Strahm Matt Strahm Option for 2026 vests
Tue, Sep 30, 2025, 12:07 PM
Strahm's $7.5 million option for 2026 has vested after he passed a physical, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: The option increased from $4.5 million to $7.5 million after Strahn reached an innings-pitched threshold in 2025, and it became guaranteed after the reliever passed a physical. Strahm held a 2.74 ERA and 70:20 K:BB over 62.1 innings this season and will fill a high-leverage role in the Phillies' bullpen again in 2026. |
|
Johan Rojas Johan Rojas Still recovering from quad injury
Tue, Sep 30, 2025, 12:02 PM
Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said Tuesday that Rojas is recovering from a quad injury and will not be on the NLDS roster, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Rojas spent the final two months of the regular season at Triple-A Lehigh Valley, but he was under consideration for an NLDS roster spot as a reserve due to his defensive and baserunning prowess. Dombrowski noted that Rojas could be ready to play in time for the NLCS, should the Phillies advance. |
Connect With Us:
