Here's why the Phillies promoted Buddy Kennedy

The Phillies announced Thursday that they've recalled Buddy Kennedy, and optioned Weston Wilson to Triple-A Lehigh Valley. To create a 40-man roster spot for Kennedy, Aaron Nola was transferred to the 60-day injured list. 

According to Matt Gelb of The Athletic, Kennedy's contract included an "upward mobility clause" that would have allowed any of the other 29 teams to take him if they were willing to promote him to the majors and the Phillies weren't: 

Kennedy had recently exercised an upward mobility clause in his minor-league deal, making him available to 29 other teams. Phillies opt to promote and keep him. https://t.co/MeuQf0gMwm

— Matt Gelb (@MattGelb) June 19, 2025

Kennedy was designated for assignment on March 27 by the Phillies, and outrighted to Triple-A Lehigh Valley. He rejected the assignment, elected free agency and then ultimately returned to the Phillies on a minor-league deal. This new deal evidently included the upward mobility clause, which he's now used to his advantage to get back to the majors. 

The 26-year-old was hitting .283 with eight home runs, 40 RBIs and an .835 OPS at Triple-A. He was the International League Player of the Month for May. It makes sense that the Phillies didn't want to lose him from their organization, and thus opted to promote him. If all things were equal, it's possible they would have preferred to keep Wilson at the majors and Kennedy at Triple-A. But all things weren't equal, and so the Phillies used Wilson's final minor-league option to assure they got to hold onto Kennedy. 

It will be interesting to see what role Kennedy has with the Phillies. He's only ever played second and third base at the MLB level. He's played just one game in left field this season at Triple-A, but given that he's replacing Wilson, it stands to reason that either he or Otto Kemp is about to get more time in left field than they ever have as the platoon partner with Max Kepler. 

Kennedy did appear in eight games for the Phillies last season, hitting .182 with two RBIs in just 11 at-bats. 

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