WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The Phillies finalized their Opening Day roster ahead of their game against the Nationals on Thursday, a few days after they told Kody Clemens he made the team over Buddy Kennedy.
The Phillies hoped to trade Kennedy before officially setting their roster on Thursday, but because they were unable to find a fit, he was designated for assignment.
Here is the roster:
Catcher (2): J.T. Realmuto, Rafael Marchán
Garrett Stubbs had a strong spring, batting .286 (6-for-21) with two doubles, four RBIs, three walks and an .804 OPS, but he had an option remaining. Marchán is out of options, which made him the favorite entering camp to be Realmuto’s backup.
The Phils almost certainly would have lost Marchán on waivers if he hadn't made the team. The organization doesn’t have much catching depth behind Marchán and Stubbs, so Stubbs was the odd man out.
First baseman (1): Bryce Harper
Harper finished sixth in NL MVP voting in 2024, his first full season as a first baseman. He not only is a perennial MVP candidate, but a Gold Glove candidate, too.
Second baseman (1): Bryson Stott
Stott played with an injured right elbow last year. The Phillies believe it affected him offensively. If so, Stott is a nice bounce-back candidate. He slashed .280/.329/.419 in 2023, before going .245/.315/.356 last year. If Stott matches or improves upon his 2023 season, it would be a boost to the lineup.
Shortstop (1): Trea Turner
Turner played like an MVP and batting-title candidate in the first half, posting a .941 OPS before the All-Star break. He posted a .687 OPS after it. Turner is looking for more consistency in his third season with the Phillies. It might come as the new leadoff hitter.
Third baseman (1): Alec Bohm
Early in the offseason, it looked like the Phillies might trade Bohm to reshape an offense that arguably needed a shakeup. But Bohm is back. Wouldn’t it be something if he had a monster year after all the trade talk?
Outfielders (4): Nick Castellanos, Max Kepler, Brandon Marsh, Johan Rojas
Castellanos, Kepler and Marsh will be the Opening Day outfielders. No surprises there. Rojas will be the fourth outfielder. The Phillies plan to play Kepler and Marsh almost every day to start the season, giving them opportunities to play against left-handed pitchers. If they play well, they will continue to face them. If they struggle, Rojas could get more opportunities.
DH (1): Kyle Schwarber
The only question is where Schwarber hits in the lineup. He might hit first or fourth, depending on the handedness of the opposing starting pitcher.
Utility (2): Kody Clemens, Edmundo Sosa
Sosa was a lock since camp opened, but Clemens got the nod before the Phillies played their final Grapefruit League game on Monday.
Both Clemens and Kennedy entered camp without options. Neither was expected to play much early in the season, so the Phillies chose Clemens, who had an excellent spring. Weston Wilson will open the season on the injured list with an oblique injury. When he is healthy and playing again, he could move into Clemens’ spot. Wilson hits right-handed. Clemens hits left-handed.
Starting pitchers (5): Zack Wheeler, Jesús Luzardo, Aaron Nola, Cristopher Sánchez, Taijuan Walker
Ranger Suárez will open the season on the 15-day injured list because of a sore lower back. He could rejoin the rotation before the end of April. The Phils said they will not rush Suárez, who has a history of back issues. Walker will take Suárez’s place in the rotation in the meantime. He has thrown the ball better this spring than he did at any point last year.
Relief pitchers (8): José Alvarado, Tanner Banks, Carlos Hernández, Orion Kerkering, Jordan Romano, Joe Ross, José Ruiz, Matt Strahm
The Phillies claimed Hernández off waivers from Kansas City on Sunday. He has a big arm, but he has had trouble throwing strikes. The Phils think they can help.
Tyler Phillips was DFA’d to make room on the 40-man roster for Hernández. Strahm is healthy again. He had not pitched since March 5 because of inflammation and a bone bruise in his left shoulder. He is scheduled to pitch in Monday’s Grapefruit League finale.