Philadelphia Phillies News

Left-hander Jesus Luzardo and the Philadelphia Phillies agreed to a five-year, $135 million contract extension on Monday, sources told Jeff Passan of ESPN. The 28-year-old southpaw was set to become a free agent after the 2026 season. His new deal will begin in 2027 and will help the Phillies lock up one of the best young arms in the game. The 28-year-old Luzardo also will have a $32.5 million option for the 2032 season. On one of the better teams in baseball, Luzardo ranks No. 17 on RotoBaller's fantasy starting pitcher rankings after he went 15-7 with a 3.92 ERA (2.90 FIP), 1.22 WHIP, and 216:57 K:BB in 183 2/3 innings over 32 starts. It was the second time he's reached the 200-strikeout mark in the last three years, and he finished seventh in the National League Cy Young voting. He's not quite ace material in fantasy, but he's not far behind because of his strikeout upside.

Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher Orion Kerkering (hamstring) was able to throw a successful bullpen session on Saturday. As expected, Kerkering took the mound for his third throwing session since suffering a Grade 1 hamstring strain. Barring any setbacks, Kerkering is likely to begin facing hitters after this session. The expectation is that he'll be ready for Opening Day with plenty of time to build up ahead of the regular season. Last year, Kerkering registered a 3.30 ERA, 1.37 WHIP, and a 65/27 K/BB ratio across 60 innings of work. He's expected to operate as one of the primary setup options for closer Jhoan Duran.

Philadelphia Phillies right-hander Zack Wheeler (shoulder) felt "strong" while throwing off the mound in camp on Saturday morning, according to Grace Del Pizzo. "So far, so good," Wheeler said. The 35-year-old veteran is progressing on schedule after having venous thoracic outlet surgery last year. Wheeler will start the 2026 regular season on the injured list, but there's a chance he won't miss a ton of time to begin the year. The three-time All-Star has been one of the most reliable fantasy aces in recent years with the Phillies, but he heads into this season as a big-time question mark after undergoing surgery for an issue that many pitchers have struggled to come back from. Before his injury in 2025, Wheeler had a 2.71 ERA, 0.93 WHIP, and 195:33 K: BB in 149 2/3 innings over 24 starts. There has been more optimism surrounding Wheeler of late as he ramps up his throwing program, but he'll be a risk/reward No. 3 fantasy starting pitcher in 2026.

Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Andrew Painter had a dominant first start of spring training and looks like he will be on the team's Opening Day roster, according to MLB Network's Jon Morosi. Painter threw two perfect innings against the Yankees on Sunday against the Yankees, throwing 20 pitches and getting a strikeout against Jasson Dominguez. The former top prospect struggled to a 5.40 ERA and 4.90 FIP in Triple-A last year, but he was able to throw 118 minor-league innings, a huge accomplishment after missing 2023 and 2024 with Tommy John surgery. If he continues to put together a strong spring, he will likely open the year in the rotation, and he could keep that spot over Taijuan Walker after Zack Wheeler's return if he can deliver on his elite potential.

Philadelphia Phillies right-handed pitching prospect Andrew Painter was sharp in his spring training debut and is making a strong case to earn the final role in the starting rotation at the beginning of the campaign. Painter was given the starting nod on Sunday afternoon and tossed two shutout frames. He did not allow a hit or a walk and struck out one hitter. His command was a glaring issue during his 2025 season, and seeing him toss two clean frames is an excellent sign for his early-season outlook. In 2025, the former first-round selection spent most of the campaign at Triple-A Lehigh Valley and logged 106 2/3 innings to the tune of a 5.40 ERA, 1.55 WHIP, and a 111:46 K:BB. With Zack Wheeler (shoulder) set to miss the start of the season, Painter appears poised to begin the season as the team's final starter and could remain in that role if he enjoys a strong start. He is a top late-round sleeper pick when looking for an upside starter.

Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher Orion Kerkering (hamstring) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session on Saturday. This will mark the first time that Kerkering has thrown since suffering a Grade 1 hamstring strain earlier this month. If everything goes well, Kerkering should progress to facing live hitters. After that, Kerkering should get back to pitching in live games. The right-hander has plenty of time to ramp up at his own pace before Opening Day. Last season, Kerkering posted a 3.30 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, and a 65/27 K/BB ratio across 69 games with the Phillies. He figures to be an important late-inning option, but his fantasy value is limited due to the lack of save opportunities.

According to Lochlahn March of The Philly Inquirer, Phillies top infield prospect Aidan Miller (back) is still getting treatments on his back but remains without a clear timetable to resume hitting. March noted that the Phillies remain very cautious with the former 27th overall selection. The 21-year-old was in the mix to potentially crack the Opening Day roster, but this injury will likely send him back to Triple-A to begin the season. In 2025, Miller spent the majority of his campaign with Double-A before earning a short taste of Triple-A in the final month. Through 108 games at Reading, Miller held a stellar .259/.382/.427 line with 13 home runs and an eye-catching 52 stolen bases. In his first eight games at Triple-A, Miller swiped another seven bags while holding a .333 AVG. Even though Miller is trending towards beginning the season in the minor leagues, he remains a viable stash option for deeper leagues given the immense speed upside he possesses.

Philadelphia Phillies right-handed pitching prospect Andrew Painter is set to make his spring debut on Sunday against the New York Yankees. Painter is currently in contention for the final spot in the starting rotation, and a strong showing in camp should put him as the favorite to claim it. Last summer, Painter returned to the bump for the first time since 2022 (after undergoing Tommy John surgery) and found little consistency. Across 106 2/3 innings at Triple-A Lehigh Valley, the former 13th overall pick posted a modest 5.40 ERA, 1.55 WHIP, with a 111:46 K:BB. However, before undergoing surgery in 2022, Painter posted a stellar 1.56 ERA and 0.89 WHIP over 103 2/3 innings at the lower levels. During camp, the Phillies have noted that the right-hander has shown improved command and looks far more comfortable another year removed from his surgery. Painter remains a prime late-round sleeper given that immense strikeout upside he flashed early in his career.

Philadelphia Phillies right-hander Zack Wheeler (shoulder) threw his first bullpen session this spring on Thursday since undergoing thoracic outlet surgery on Sept. 23 of last year, which involved the removal of a rib, according to Corey Seidman of Sports Illustrated. Wheeler felt great after throwing 21 fastballs on Thursday. When asked if Wheeler could be ready to pitch in a big-league game six weeks from Thursday, manager Rob Thomson said, "Possibly." It's also possible that he could pitch in a Grapefruit League game, but it's still unclear. Barring soreness or a setback, Wheeler should be expected to throw another bullpen on Sunday. Wheeler will begin the 2026 season on the injured list, but if he continues to progress at this pace, it's possible he could make his season debut in April. Still, the 35-year-old veteran isn't a lock to return to his ace form, which is why he's dropped in the starting pitching rankings to No. 48 overall at RotoBaller.

Philadelphia Phillies outfield prospect Justin Crawford went 2-for-3 with a strikeout in his spring training debut on Saturday afternoon. Crawford served as the leadoff hitter and knocked a double to center field to open the contest. Later in the game, Crawford would hit a single on a line drive. The team's top outfield prospect is currently the favorite to claim the starting center field role, and his hot start in camp further cements him as a starting option. Last season, the 22-year-old spent the entire 2025 season with Triple-A Lehigh Valley and held a .334/.411/.452 slash line with 23 doubles, seven home runs, and an eye-catching 46 stolen bases. While his power upside may be limited, Crawford could produce a high batting average with an elite stolen base total. He is a prime late-round option for those in standard leagues, as he should begin the season in an everyday role.

Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Aidan Miller (back) is likely going to sit out for a few days. According to Todd Zolecki, Miller is dealing with back soreness, so the Phillies plan to be careful with him. The team will take it easy with Miller while he gets treatment this week. The 21-year-old is expected to begin the season in the minors, but it shouldn't be too long before he's in Philly. In 2025, Miller slashed .264/.392/.433 with 14 home runs, 42 RBI, and 59 stolen bases in 116 games between Double-A and Triple-A. The majority of his games were played in Double-A, so Miller will likely begin the 2026 campaign in Triple-A. He could be on the short list to Philly if he shows that he can handle Triple-A pitching.

Across 560 plate appearances in 2025, Philadelphia Phillies second baseman Bryson Stott hit .257/.328/.391 with 13 home runs, 66 RBI, 66 runs scored, and 24 stolen bases. Stott looked like a potential future star in 2023, when he hit .280 with 15 home runs and 31 stolen bases. However, the 28-year-old has settled in a level a notch below what he showed in that banner year, as he's hit .251 and averaged 12 home runs over the last two seasons. With a 9.6% walk rate and 16.3% strikeout rate in 2025, Stott has quality plate skills that provide him with a high floor. However, he owns just a 4.4% career barrel rate and made hard contact just 29.5% of the time in 2025, so his power upside is limited. Perhaps most worryingly for his fantasy profile, the lefty-swinging Stott owns a .666 OPS in 529 career plate appearances against left-handed pitching and has lost some playing time against same-handed starters over the past two years. The Phillies have a quality right-handed infielder in Edmundo Sosa on their bench, which could mean Stott functions as a platoon bat once again in 2026. The lost playing time hurts Stott's ability to compile counting stats, which is his main appeal to fantasy managers. His speed gives him a safe floor, but Stott's fantasy upside has a firm ceiling.

Philadelphia Phillies right-handed pitching prospect Andrew Painter continues to draw rave reviews in spring training, according to John Clark of NBC Sports. "He looks great. I caught his bullpen yesterday. Shoot, I want to say it was 98, 99. It's just easy. It doesn't look like he's throwing max effort. It's still coming out that firm. He is kind of like Wheeler. His stuff is so elite, and he's still able to throw the ball on the edges (command)," catcher J.T. Realmuto said. Manager Rob Thomson said on Wednesday that Painter's command appears to be back after he struggled a bit to throw strikes in 2025 in his first full season back from Tommy John surgery. The 22-year-old former top prospect should be rising up draft boards this spring and has a real shot to crack the team's Opening Day rotation with Zack Wheeler (shoulder) injured. RotoBaller has Painter ranked as the No. 97 fantasy starting pitcher, but he has the stuff to break out in his first MLB season while being another year removed from elbow surgery.

Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Aaron Nola is coming off the worst season of his big-league career. Injuries limited him to just 17 starts and fewer than 100 innings in 2025, and he ultimately finished the year with a staggering 6.01 ERA and 4.58 FIP. His 9.25 K/9 and 2.67 BB/9 rates were fine, but his home run rate ballooned to a whopping 1.72 HR/9, which is a career high. Meanwhile, his ground ball rate dipped to 42.5%, the second-lowest mark of his career. Understandably, managers are worried about the 11-year veteran's outlook going forward. However, some of the underlying metrics suggest he's due to bounce back. Most notably, Nola had a 3.71 xFIP last year, indicating that he was unlucky and vastly underperformed expectations. His 4.12 xERA suggests similar. Still armed with an elite knuckle curve and above-average fastball, Nola has the skill set to bounce back and meet or exceed his expected metrics in 2026. His rough 2025 is baked into his current ranking as the #59 starter in RotoBaller's draft rankings, and managers should consider drafting him as a low-risk, high-upside rotation piece.

Philadelphia Phillies manager Rob Thomson said that right-handed pitching prospect Andrew Painter's command is back in spring training, according to Devan Kaney of 94WIP.com. President of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said that command was the main aspect of Painter's game that needed to improve after his season at Triple-A Lehigh Valley in 2025. The 22-year-old has a legitimate shot to win an Opening Day rotation spot with the Phillies out of camp after going 5-6 with a 5.40 ERA, 1.55 WHIP, and 111:46 K:BB in 106 2/3 innings over 22 starts for the Iron Pigs last year. Understandably, his command wasn't in top form since it was his first full year back from Tommy John surgery. Command issues aside last year, Painter's stuff was intact, making him an attractive buy-low candidate in redraft leagues. Painter is MLB Pipeline's No. 28 overall prospect going into 2026 and could be part of Philly's rotation for most, if not all, of the season.

Philadelphia Phillies right-handed pitching prospect Andrew Painter is in serious consideration for one of the final spots in the Phillies starting rotation. With Zack Wheeler (elbow) on the shelf to open the season, the team's top pitching prospect appears to be in serious consideration for one of the final spots. However, given his struggles last season, the team could turn to a veteran option for the short term. Last summer, Painter made his return from Tommy John but stumbled in his first look at Triple-A. After not pitching since the 2022 season, the former first-round pick logged 106 2/3 innings to the tune of a 5.40 ERA and a 1.55 WHIP. While he showed solid strikeout upside, tallying 111, he served up 46 free passes. Managers should continue to keep an eye on his development as he could hold some short-term upside in deeper formats if he were to earn a taste of the big leagues to begin the season. However, if these command issues linger in spring training, the Phillies may opt to keep him at Triple-A.

Philadelphia Phillies corner infielder Alec Bohm will "most likely" hit fourth, according to Todd Zolecki of MLB.com. Zolecki said that manager Rob Thomson indicated Bohm is the frontrunner for the cleanup spot, but he also mentioned Adolis Garcia and J.T. Realmuto as candidates in the mix to bat fourth. Bohm played 120 games last year, slashing .287/.331/.409 with 11 home runs, a 5.8% walk rate, a 16.3% strikeout rate, and 105 wRC+. He spent most of the season at the hot corner but also logged some appearances at first base, which is where he could end up eventually if infield prospect Aidan Miller debuts and takes over at third. Hitting fourth creates plenty of RBI opportunities for Bohm, so he definitely carries some upside into the 2026 season. Still, he currently ranks as the #26 third baseman in RotoBaller's latest fantasy baseball draft rankings.

The Philadelphia Phillies were seeking lineup protection for first baseman Bryce Harper and more right-handed pop this offseason, which is why they brought in outfielder Adolis Garcia in free agency on a one-year deal. NBC Sports' Cole Weintraub writes that the Phillies are hoping Garcia can return to his 2022-23 form in Texas and slide into the team's cleanup spot. However, a cold spring from Garcia could push designated hitter Kyle Schwarber to the four-hole after he had a .955 OPS in 2025. The 32-year-old Garcia will start in right field in his first year in Philly, but he's a gamble in fantasy baseball drafts after posting a sub-.700 OPS in back-to-back seasons. His .675 OPS last year ranked 117th out of 123 qualified hitters, and he also hit fewer than 20 homers for the first time in his career. Still, there are worse players to take a chance on in a favorable hitting environment with plenty of RBI opportunities. Remember, Garcia hit 39 homers and drove in 107 runs just two seasons ago.

Philadelphia Phillies top pitching prospect Andrew Painter has no restrictions in spring training, and the Phillies are hoping he wins a rotation spot in camp, according to John Clark of NBC Sports. It's been a long road for Painter to this point after a tear in his UCL was discovered three years ago, which led to Tommy John surgery. Cristopher Sanchez, Jesus Luzardo, and Aaron Nola are locked into the team's top-three rotation spots, but there's a clear opening for Painter now that we know Zack Wheeler (shoulder) won't be ready for Opening Day. In his first full season back from TJ surgery, Painter struggled, posting a 5.40 ERA and 1.55 WHIP in 22 starts at Triple-A Lehigh Valley. The good news is that his stuff looked fine, and he threw a combined 118 innings at two levels. If the 22-year-old is a little sharper than he was last year and he stays healthy, he will most definitely be in play in all fantasy formats as long as he is locked into a rotation spot in Philly.

Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher Orion Kerkering (hamstring) has a Grade 1 hamstring strain, according to Matt Gelb of The Athletic. Kerkering is "a little behind" as spring training gets underway. While this is certainly a situation worth monitoring, it doesn't sound like Kerkering's injury is too serious, and he should be ready for Opening Day if he doesn't experience any setbacks. The 24-year-old fell out of the closer-by-committee group when Philadelphia acquired Jhoan Duran last year, but he still posted a solid 3.82 FIP with 9.75 K/9, 4.05 BB/9, and a 42% ground ball rate across 69 appearances (60.0 innings). However, without many save opportunities in his future, he's not a very appealing option in fantasy baseball drafts.