Orion Kerkering Serving As Opener, Michael Mercado Operating As Bulk Pitcher
Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher Orion Kerkering will serve as the opener on Sunday afternoon as the Phillies look to clinch a series victory over the Oakland Athletics. Right-hander Michael Mercado will operate in a bulk role. Zack Wheeler (back) was originally scheduled to take the mound on Sunday afternoon but the Phillies will opt to give their ace some more rest as he experienced lower-back tightness in his previous start. Kerkering will likely only be called upon to pitch the opening frame, as he never recorded more than five outs at a time this season. He is currently riding an eight-inning shutout streak. Mercado struggled in his previous outing against the Atlanta Braves on July 7 when he allowed five runs but looked much sharper in his previous outing, where he allowed only one run across five innings. Mercado could be a sneaky play in DFS this afternoon, as he should have a great opportunity to tally a win and a handful of punchouts against Oakland.
Taijuan Walker, Orion Kerkering Going On Rehab Assignments
The Philadelphia Phillies are sending right-handers Taijuan Walker (shoulder) and Orion Kerkering (forearm, illness) on minor-league rehab assignments. Kerkering would then be activated sometime over the weekend. Walker will start his rehab assignment on Thursday with Triple-A Lehigh Valley and will likely make four starts, increasing his pitch count in 15-pitch increments before eventually joining the Phillies' starting rotation. The 31-year-old threw 46 pitches over three innings in a live batting practice session over the weekend and is attempting to return from a right-shoulder impingement he suffered in spring training. The 23-year-old Kerkering got sick in spring training and then suffered a right-forearm strain. When healthy, he'll be a key late-inning bullpen piece for the Phillies but is unlikely to see many, if any, save chances.
Orion Kerkering A Week Away From Rejoining Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies reliever Orion Kerkering has had a couple of successful minor league outings, and if everything goes to plan, the 23-year-old will pitch Tuesday and Thursday next week before rejoining the Phillies over the weekend. Kerkering was generating some preseason buzz after his performance in the minors and at the big league level in 2023, but an illness and a forearm strain threw cold water on it. He's expected to serve in middle relief upon his return, but Jose Alvarado has not looked sharp as the closer and Kerkering could be in the mix should Alvarado continue to falter. Kerkering has big-time strikeout stuff, so if he were to take over as closer he could help out fantasy managers tremendously. He's certainly worthy of the watch list, but also could be a speculative add in deeper leagues.
Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher Orion Kerkering (forearm) pitched on Thursday in Florida, touching 98 mph with his fastball. Kerkering's strained right forearm is healed now, but he is rebuilding arm strength after missing weeks of spring training because of an illness. Expected to be activated as soon as he's eligible on April 9, the 22-year-old right-hander will probably serve as a middle reliever out of Philly's bullpen upon his 2024 debut. But Kerkering is the No. 6 Phillies prospect, per MLB Pipeline, and their likely closer of the future after being tasked with critical innings during the 2023 playoffs, holding his own with a 3.38 ERA (3.07 FIP) and five strikeouts covering 5 1/3 frames last postseason. After Jose Alvarado gave up five runs in Friday's Opening Day loss to the Atlanta Braves, it can't help but feel like Kerkering's fantasy stock rose a bit. He belongs on all watchlists.
Orion Kerkering Might Not Be Ready For Opening Day
Philadelphia Phillies right-hander Orion Kerkering (illness) might not be ready for Opening Day on March 28, according to manager Rob Thomson. Kerkering hasn't pitched in the Grapefruit League since March 1 because of the flu, although he's scheduled to throw at the team's spring complex sometime this week. "He's 22 years old," Thomson said. "We're not going to push this thing." Kerkering has appeared in only two spring games and might need to open the year on the injured list in order to rebuild his strength. The former fifth-round pick in 2022 out of South Florida went from playing in Single-A in 2023 to pitching high-leverage innings in the majors in the postseason last fall. Kerkering has a nasty sinker/slider mix that can make him almost unhittable as a future closer candidate for the Phillies.
Michael Lorenzen Left Off Roster, Orion Kerkering Included
The Philadelphia Phillies left All-Star right-hander Michael Lorenzen off the roster for the wild-card series against the Miami Marlins this week but included rookie reliever Orion Kerkering and rookie corner outfielder/infielder Weston Wilson. Kerkering, the team's No. 7 prospect per MLB Pipeline, struck out six in three scoreless innings of relief after being called up in late September. He gives the Phils yet another high-leverage strikeout arm for the back end of the bullpen after starting the 2023 season with Single-A Clearwater. Lorenzen made the All-Star team this year and threw a no-hitter on Aug. 9 for the Phillies, but he had a rough 8.01 ERA in his last 30 1/3 innings and had been moved to the bullpen to close out the regular season. Wilson had a career year in the minors and will give Philadelphia an extra right-handed bench bat.
The Philadelphia Phillies promoted pitching prospect Orion Kerkering from Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Friday, according to sources. The hard-throwing right-handed relief pitcher started the 2023 season at Low-A Clearwater. The team's No. 7 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, Kerkering has earned his first big-league promotion by posting a strong 1.51 ERA, 0.89 WHIP, 14 saves, 12 walks and 79 strikeouts in 53 2/3 innings over 49 relief appearances for Clearwater, High-A Jersey Shore, Double-A Reading and Lehigh Valley. The 22-year-old South Florida product has produced high spin rates and has a wipeout slider that can be a major weapon. For now, though, in his first taste of the big leagues, Kerkering is likely to work in middle relief instead of a high-leverage role with the Phils as they get set for another playoff run.
Michael Mercado
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Phillies
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