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Jordan Romano Jordan Romano Blows save in eighth inning
Thu, Mar 27, 2025, 9:52 PM
Romano blew the save after allowing two runs on one hit and one walk in one inning during Thursday's game against the Nationals. He struck out one.
Analysis: Summoned in the eighth inning to protect a 3-1 lead, Romano blew the save in his regular-season Phillies debut after allowing a CJ Abrams groundout and a Luis Garcia single to plate two runs. The Phillies could give Romano some leeway when it comes to future save opportunities, although they aren't short on high-leverage arms, and the right-hander's usage in the eighth frame suggests he may not solely see ninth-inning work anyway. Jose Alvarado, who ended up getting the win Thursday, and Matt Strahm pitched clean ninth and 10th innings respectively to preserve the win for Philadelphia, and they're both worthy speculative adds in deeper fantasy leagues until this bullpen hierarchy becomes clearer. |
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Zack Wheeler Zack Wheeler Throws six strong innings
Thu, Mar 27, 2025, 9:50 PM
Wheeler didn't factor into the decision after giving up one run on two hits and two walks in six innings during Thursday's game against the Nationals. He struck out eight.
Analysis: Although Wheeler certainly pitched well enough to deserve a win Thursday, the Phillies struggled to break through offensively until the later stages, and he was outdueled by MacKenzie Gore's six one-hit innings and 13 strikeouts. Keibert Ruiz took Wheeler deep in the fifth frame, which ended up being the main blemish to Wheeler's stat line. The star right-hander has a favorable matchup on tap against the Rockies at home slated for Wednesday. |
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Kyle Schwarber Kyle Schwarber Goes yard from cleanup spot
Thu, Mar 27, 2025, 9:48 PM
Schwarber 2-for-4 with one home run, two runs scored and one walk in Thursday's 7-3 extra-inning win over Washington.
Analysis: Batting out of the No. 4 spot in Philadelphia's lineup, Schwarber played the part of a prototypical cleanup hitter with a go-ahead solo homer in the seventh inning. The star slugger has recorded at least 100 runs scored in each of his past three seasons primarily as a leadoff hitter, but even though Schwarber could have a harder time scoring runs if his move to the middle of the order sticks, he should see plenty of RBI opportunities in a loaded Phillies lineup. |
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Bryce Harper Bryce Harper Belts Opening Day homer
Thu, Mar 27, 2025, 9:46 PM
Harper went 1-for-4 with one home run, two runs scored and one walk in Thursday's 7-3 extra-inning win over Washington.
Analysis: After the Nationals lifted a dominant MacKenzie Gore on Opening Day, Harper greeted right-hander Lucas Sims with a solo shot to put the Phillies on the board in the seventh inning. It was Harper's first long ball of 2025, including spring training, as the superstar slugger went without a homer in the Grapefruit League but did hit a strong 12-for-41 (.293) with four RBI this spring. |
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Ranger Suarez Ranger Suarez Throwing bullpen session Saturday
Thu, Mar 27, 2025, 2:31 PM
Suarez (back) will throw a 25-pitch bullpen session Saturday, Lochlahn March of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.
Analysis: Suarez will throw off the bump for the first time since he developed lower-back stiffness following an intrasquad appearance in mid-March. The lefty will continue to build up as his health allows, with a return from the injured list before the end of April possible if all goes well. Taijuan Walker will hold down a spot in the Phillies rotation until Suarez is cleared to make his 2025 debut. |
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Weston Wilson Weston Wilson Placed on 10-day injured list
Thu, Mar 27, 2025, 10:00 AM
The Phillies placed Wilson (oblique) on the 10-day injured list Thursday, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Wilson suffered a left oblique strain early on in spring training. He will be eligible to return from the IL on April 3, but it's not clear at this point how far along Wilson is in his recovery. |
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Ranger Suarez Ranger Suarez Goes on 15-day IL
Thu, Mar 27, 2025, 9:59 AM
The Phillies placed Suarez on the 15-day injured list Thursday due to low-back stiffness, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Suarez has resumed throwing on flat ground as he overcomes a back issue but is expected to miss the first few weeks of the season. Taijuan Walker will occupy a spot in the Philadelphia rotation until Suarez is ready to make his 2025 debut. |
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Buddy Kennedy Buddy Kennedy Booted from 40-man roster
Thu, Mar 27, 2025, 9:56 AM
The Phillies designated Kennedy for assignment Thursday, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: The Phillies told Kennedy earlier this week that he would not be on the Opening Day roster and the club was unable to find a trade partner. He could draw interest on waivers. |
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Eiberson Castellano Eiberson Castellano Returned to Philadelphia
Tue, Mar 25, 2025, 1:27 PM
The Twins returned Castellano to the Phillies on Tuesday, Bobby Nightengale of The Minnesota Star Tribune reports.
Analysis: The Rule 5 pick failed to make the Twins' Opening Day roster and went unclaimed by other clubs, resulting in a move back to his original organization. Castellano will likely open the 2025 season in the rotation at Double-A Reading. |
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Matt Strahm Matt Strahm Won't pitch due to fingernail issue
Mon, Mar 24, 2025, 11:59 AM
Strahm (shoulder) will not make a scheduled Grapefruit League appearance Monday versus the Rays due to left middle fingernail irritation, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: The issue is not believed to be serious, and Strahm remains on track to be ready for the Phillies' season opener Thursday versus the Nationals. The left-handed reliever has made just two Grapefruit League appearances this spring due to a shoulder impingement that's caused inflammation, but he's been throwing lately without any problems with the shoulder. |
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Ranger Suarez Ranger Suarez Hopes to return sometime in April
Mon, Mar 24, 2025, 10:28 AM
Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said Monday that he is hopeful Suarez (back) "would pitch sometime in April," Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Suarez is dealing with a back injury and will begin the season on the 15-day injured list. He is throwing on flat ground but will need time to get built back up, which Dombrowski believes will take "three weeks or something at least." Philadelphia will use Taijuan Walker as its fifth starter until Suarez is ready. |
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Buddy Kennedy Buddy Kennedy Misses out on Opening Day roster
Mon, Mar 24, 2025, 9:46 AM
The Phillies will attempt to trade Kennedy before Opening Day, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Kennedy did not make the Opening Day roster, but the club has received trade interest in the 26-year-old and will attempt to swing a deal. If a trade doesn't come to fruition, Kennedy will be designated for assignment, as he is out of minor-league options. |
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Kody Clemens Kody Clemens Earns bench spot
Mon, Mar 24, 2025, 9:44 AM
The Phillies informed Clemens on Monday that he has made the Opening Day roster, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Clemens nabbed the final bench spot over Buddy Kennedy after posting an .857 OPS with two home runs this spring. He will be used mostly in a pinch-hitting role while providing backup at multiple positions. |
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Tyler Phillips Tyler Phillips DFA'd by Philly
Sun, Mar 23, 2025, 4:23 PM
The Phillies designated Phillips for assignment Sunday, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: The right-hander allowed nine runs with a 14:7 K:BB over 10.2 innings during spring training, so Philadelphia elected to DFA him in favor of waiver-claim Carlos Hernandez. Phillips threw a complete game shutout last year but overall struggled in the majors, finishing the regular season with a 6.87 ERA and 1.42 WHIP over 36.2 frames. |
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Carlos Hernandez Carlos Hernandez Claimed by Philly
Sun, Mar 23, 2025, 3:39 PM
The Phillies claimed Hernandez off waivers from the Royals on Sunday.
Analysis: The right-hander was put on outright waivers after missing out on Kansas City's Opening Day bullpen Saturday, and it didn't take long for him to be scooped up by another team. Hernandez had a 3.30 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 27:16 K:BB over 30 innings during the regular season last year, but he struggled in spring training with eight runs allowed and an 8:5 K:BB over 10.1 innings. |
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Taijuan Walker Taijuan Walker Nabs rotation spot
Sun, Mar 23, 2025, 1:23 PM
Manager Rob Thomson said Sunday that Walker will be included in Philadelphia's season-opening rotation, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: The veteran right-hander entered camp with the expectation of working as a reliever, but instead he's needed in the rotation with Ranger Suarez (back) headed to the injured list. Walker had a 6.92 ERA and 6:3 K:BB through 13 innings during spring training, and he fared even worse over 19 regular-season appearances in 2024 with a 7.10 ERA, 1.72 WHIP and 58:37 K:BB. |
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Ranger Suarez Ranger Suarez Needs IL stint
Sun, Mar 23, 2025, 1:14 PM
Manager Rob Thomson said Sunday that Suarez (back) will begin the season on the injured list, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: The left-hander suffered a back injury last week and will be unavailable for at least the first couple weeks of the regular season. Taijuan Walker will step into Philadelphia's rotation while Suarez is sidelined. |
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Michael Mercado Michael Mercado Doesn't make Opening Day roster
Sun, Mar 23, 2025, 10:35 AM
The Phillies optioned Mercado to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Sunday.
Analysis: Mercado had a rough spring, posting a 7.04 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 8:5 K:BB over 7.2 innings. The 25-year-old also struggled during his first look at the majors last year, posting an 11.08 ERA, 1.92 WHIP and 10:9 K:BB across 13 regular-season frames. Mercado put up solid numbers with Lehigh Valley last year, and he could get another call-up at some point in 2025 if he continues to show development in the minors. |
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Ranger Suarez Ranger Suarez Plays catch again Saturday
Sat, Mar 22, 2025, 4:11 PM
Manager Rob Thomson said Suarez's back is feeling better after playing catch again Saturday, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: The Phillies still haven't determined if Suarez will make his first start or head to the IL to begin the season, but Thomson said that decision will be made by Monday. The 29-year-old lefty is slated for another round of catch Sunday, which might help the team decide on his fate. |
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Kyle Tyler Kyle Tyler Dispatched to Lehigh Valley
Sat, Mar 22, 2025, 9:01 AM
The Phillies optioned Tyler to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Saturday.
Analysis: Tyler really never had much of a shot to make the Phillies' Opening Day rotation, and he didn't help his chances with five runs allowed and a 7:6 K:BB over 9.1 spring innings. He'll instead begin the year in Lehigh Valley's rotation and look to improve upon the 5.82 ERA he accumulated upon joining the Phillies organization back in August. |
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