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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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Cristopher Sanchez Cristopher Sanchez Fans eight in no-decision
Sun, Sep 28, 2025, 7:29 PM
Sanchez did not factor in the decision during Sunday's extra-inning win against Minnesota. He allowed two hits over 5.2 shutout innings while striking out eight.
Analysis: Sanchez could've produced a career day if he hadn't been on a workload restriction ahead of the postseason. He racked up 17 whiffs on just 60 total pitches, including eight with his changeup. Sanchez has posted a 1.59 ERA over his last six starts. He wrapped up his terrific 2025 regular season with a 2.50 ERA and a 212:44 K:BB through 202 frames. It was the first time he crossed the 200-inning mark, and he did so with a career-high 9.4 K/9. |
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Edmundo Sosa Edmundo Sosa Moving back to reserve role
Sun, Sep 28, 2025, 1:12 PM
Sosa is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Twins.
Analysis: Sosa had started at shortstop each of the last four games, but he'll shift back into a utility role for the regular-season finale and for the Phillies' playoff run. Trea Turner (hamstring) will reclaim the shortstop job after being activated from the 10-day injured list. |
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Harrison Bader Harrison Bader Getting breather Sunday
Sun, Sep 28, 2025, 11:31 AM
Bader is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Twins.
Analysis: His streak of 18 consecutive starts comes to an end in the Phillies' regular-season finale, with Brandon Marsh patrolling center field in his stead. Bader had served as Philadelphia's leadoff hitter in 17 consecutive games before Sunday, but now that Trea Turner is back from the injured list, Bader could move back down the batting order during the postseason. |
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J.T. Realmuto J.T. Realmuto Sitting in Game 162
Sun, Sep 28, 2025, 11:26 AM
Realmuto is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Twins.
Analysis: Realmuto will get the day off for the Phillies' regular-season finale. Assuming the catcher remains on the bench for the contest, he'll head into the playoffs with a .257/.315/.384 slash line, 12 home runs, 52 RBI and 57 runs scored across 549 plate appearances. |
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Max Lazar Max Lazar Optioned to FCL
Sun, Sep 28, 2025, 11:13 AM
The Phillies optioned Lazar to the rookie-level Florida Complex League on Sunday.
Analysis: Lazar will be the casualty on the 28-man active roster as the Phillies make room for shortstop Trea Turner's (hamstring) return from the injured list. The right-handed reliever has posted a 4.79 ERA and a 26:12 K:BB across 41.1 innings for Philadelphia this season. |
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Max Kepler Max Kepler Back in action Sunday
Sun, Sep 28, 2025, 11:10 AM
Kepler (illness) will start in left field and bat seventh Sunday against Minnesota.
Analysis: Kepler was held out of the lineup the past two days due to an illness, but he'll close out the regular season as a member of the Phillies' starting nine. The outfielder has gone 2-for-27 (.074 average) with 12 strikeouts over his last eight games. |
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