Mar 7, 2025; Bradenton, Florida, USA; Philadelphia Phillies third baseman Kody Clemens (2) reacts after striking out against the Pittsburgh Pirates in the third inning during spring training at LECOM Park. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
With two spring training games left to play, the Phillies' remaining roster decisions are clear.
The Phillies announced several roster moves Saturday morning. When the dust settled, two players remained in competition for the team's final bench spot: Kody Clemens and Buddy Kennedy.
Prior to today’s game, the Phillies optioned OF Cal Stevenson and RHP Kyle Tyler to Lehigh Valley (AAA). Additionally, the following players were reassigned to minor league camp: INF Christian Arroyo, C Josh Breaux, RHP Nabil Crismatt and OF Oscar Mercado.
In a vacuum, Clemens is probably the more valuable player. He's hitting .304 with an .882 OPS in 50 plate appearances this spring, while Kennedy is hitting .171 with an .819 OPS in 47 plate appearances. The 28-year-old Clemens has a career .200/.246/.373 slash line with 14 home runs in 395 major league plate appearances, while the 26-year-old Kennedy sports a .203/.295/.313 line with two HRs in 149 major league PAs.
Clemens has also proven himself as both a capable infielder and corner outfielder. Kennedy has played left field this spring but has never worked in the outfield in a regular season game.
But Kennedy is a right-handed bat and Clemens is a lefty. There won't be many pinch-hitting opportunities for Clemens if he stays on the roster, because the righties in the lineup will likely hit in any situation. (Johan Rojas is an exception, but Marsh will be the first lefty off the bench when Rojas starts in center field.)
Both players are out of minor league options, meaning the candidate who doesn't make the Opening Day active roster will be exposed to waivers.
It’s hard to pass up on having Kody Clemens on the roster given his decent spring, but they really need Kennedy’s RH bat.
I wonder if we could see a Clemens for righty swap in a trade.
The pitching decisions hinge on the health of Ranger Suarez and Matt Strahm. Suarez is dealing with a back issue, while Strahm is close to returning from a left shoulder injury. If one or both pitchers starts the season on the IL, Tyler Phillips and/or Michael Mercado would fill in.
RHPs Tyler Phillips and Michael Mercado remain in camp. Either would join bullpen if Ranger Suárez or Matt Strahm aren’t ready to start the season.
Strahm is pitching this morning at the complex.
Taijuan Walker would take Suárez’s spot in the rotation if he’s not ready.
Suarez has sought to minimize concerns about his back, saying the discomfort is not as serious as the back pain he battled in the second half of the 2024 season. But the Phillies will be cautious. They won't need a fifth starter until April 2, and Taijuan Walker stands ready for a spot start (whether fans like it or not).
Phillies Projected Rotation for the first 5 Regular Season games:
3/27 @ WSH- Zack Wheeler
3/29 @ WSH- Jesus Luzardo
3/30 @ WSH- Aaron Nola
3/31 vs. COL- Cristopher Sanchez
4/2 vs. COL- Ranger Suarez or Taijuan Walker pic.twitter.com/AlHCecVn6h
The club will be cautious with Strahm as well. There's no need to risk further injury to the lefthander's shoulder for early-season games against the Nationals and Rockies. Strahm threw in Clearwater on Saturday and the Phillies will see how his shoulder responds.
Three strikeouts for Matt Strahm against the Blue Jays minor leaguers this morning. Allowed one double. pic.twitter.com/u8NXEnii9I
Phillips hasn't pitched well this spring, allowing nine earned runs in 9.2 innings. But Mercado hasn't fared much better--seven earned runs in 7.2 innings--and can be optioned to the minors. Phillips is out of minor league options.
One pitcher would take over Taijuan Walker's role as a long man in the bullpen if Walker makes a start in place of Suarez. Both Phillips and Mercado can make the roster if Suarez and Strahm land on the IL.
