Delaware County Daily Times: https://tinyurl.com/bde59vx9

Originally published July 26, 2026

PHILADELPHIA — LeBron James, miraculously the 76ers’ newest acquisition, idolized Michael Jordan growing up and has worn his No. 23 since high school and through most of his pro career. Jordan, with a thirst for the jugular unsurpassed by any athlete in history, famously used any real or perceived slight as motivation.

Sometimes he even invented one just to give himself the competitive fuel he needed.

“It became personal with me,” Jordan often said of any snub, actual or imagined, while recalling dismantling an opponent. He uttered similar phrases frequently enough in his 2020 retrospective documentary series, “The Last Dance,” for them to become internet memes.

As LeBron finalized his signing here, there was no doubt about the slight against the Phillies’ Alec Bohm Sunday night, when the New York Yankees intentionally walked Brandon Marsh — loading the bases with two outs in the third — to pitch to Bohm instead.

Asking Bohm postgame (paraphrasing Jordan) if he “took that personally” drew the following response:

“It’s happened a lot to me in my career, but yeah, that time it kind of pissed me off,” Bohm said firmly. “I feel like I’m the type of player that, through most of my career, you haven’t really wanted to come up in those situations (if you’re the team at bat). So I’m just kind of, I guess, tired of people thinking that.

“I’m tired of people thinking that I’m the easy out.”

Bohm, on an 84-mph sweeper on the lower outside corner from Yankees righty Will Warren, delivered a looping, bases-clearing double to the alley in left-center to cap a brilliant, nine-pitch at-bat and extend the Phillies’ lead to 5-0.

Philadelphia ended up pounding the Yankees 11-4 to snap a four-game skid before leaving on a week-long road trip to Miami and Baltimore.

Shortly before Bohm spoke about the at-bat, Phillies manager Don Mattingly talked about “taking it personally.”

“I think you always do when they walk the guy in front of you,” Mattingly said. “It’s always a little tricky because you know you’re getting the best of that guy.

“So it was really good to see (Bohm) come through there. Obviously, we needed to score tonight. But to battle in that at-bat, foul some balls off and get that knock, that was huge.”

After a dreadful first two months, Bohm is hitting .221 with 13 homers, 57 RBIs and a .650 OPS this season. He has grounded into 14 double plays — tied for fifth-most in baseball. Yet he’s slashing an impressive .306/.370/.506 with runners in scoring position, which is among the best.

“Just as competitors, we’re always believing that we’re going to get the hit and come through in the big spot,” Bohm said. “It was a big situation. … It was a chance for us to create some separation there. So, yeah, I think I was just really trying to give my best at-bat right there so we could cash in.

“It’s not like I’m mad at (the Yankees) for (intentionally walking Marsh) or mad at anybody in particular. … I know what the numbers say, but I don’t feel like I’m an out going up there. And I think obviously in those situations, you want to make them feel like they made a mistake.

“I ground into some double plays, but, you know, I’ll take my chances putting the ball in play and moving the ball and making the other team make a play.”

Bryson Stott went 3-for-4 with a double, home run and five RBIs Sunday. Trea Turner was 2-for-5 with a triple and two runs scored. Kyle Schwarber drove in a run and crossed the plate twice. Bryan De La Cruz was 2-for-2, and the Phillies racked up 13 hits after generating next to no offense in all but two games since the All-Star break.

The question is, can they sustain such offense over long stretches and make it the norm rather than the exception?

After Mattingly took over for Rob Thomson, it seemed that way until recently. But Bohm still feels confident.

“I think just the fact that we can do it one through nine,” Bohm said. “You know the guys can chip in everywhere throughout the lineup.”

By the way, 6s are running wild as the Phillies embark on a six-game road swing. LeBron’s only other NBA jersey number has been No. 6, a nod to his son Bronny’s Oct. 6 birthday — and to Sixers legend Julius Erving, who wore No. 6 with the, um, Sixers.

Follow Christiaan DeFranco on X and Threads at @the_defranc.

Delaware County Daily Times: https://tinyurl.com/mwzm68en

Originally published July 25, 2026

PHILADELPHIA — Trea Turner led off with the score tied in the bottom of the fifth Saturday evening against the New York Yankees and proceeded to put together an epic, 11-pitch at-bat that included taking three very close balls — a sweeper just inside, a changeup barely low and a sinker just off the outside edge — and fouling off six pitches.

Ultimately, he went down swinging.

It was another near miss for the Phillies, who lost 3-1 and dropped their third straight series since the All-Star break, previously losing to the Mets and Dodgers. They should have beaten the Mets and Dodgers, but blunders in the field and on the basepaths, plus cold bats, proved the difference.

It was a reminder of recent Octobers, when the Phillies have been right there against good competition only to come up short.

The Phillies have squandered some stellar pitching performances recently, including from Zack Wheeler and Jesús Luzardo. Even in Saturday’s bullpen game, the Phillies’ hodgepodge of short-inning guys kept them in it, but Philadelphia ended up losing in front of a sellout crowd of 44,552 at Citizens Bank Park while a huge contingent of Yankees fans cheered throughout the stands.

“I felt like it was a good at-bat,” Turner said about the fifth inning. “I missed a couple strikes and then just chased a pitch or two at the end. It was frustrating because you’re competing out there, but you tip your cap.”

Turner, who ended up 1-for-3, started the bottom of the first with a hit-by-pitch. Kyle Schwarber followed with a double to center, and Harper brought home Turner with a sac fly. But after an Alec Bohm groundout and Edmundo Sosa strikeout, the Phils had to settle for just that one run, and they never scored again.

In the first two games of the Yankees series, the Phils were 1-for-12 with runners in scoring position.

“Obviously, (the offense) hasn’t been great (since the break),” manager Don Mattingly said. “We haven’t really scored. But the one thing you can rest assured, nobody’s going up there not trying to get hits. We’re not going into the game not trying to score. We are in a spot where we haven’t scored and we haven’t swung the bats great, but we gotta continue to work and keep fighting through it.

“This is not a young club that’s gonna give up on themselves. … They’re not gonna quit playing. There’s a long way to go. There’s gonna be a lot of big series coming, a lot of baseball to be played. I don’t think there’s gonna be a panic within the club of all of a sudden we’re not a good club.”

It was the Phillies’ fourth straight loss as their second-half record fell to 2-6. In five of those six defeats, they scored one run or fewer. They had once closed the gap behind the NL East-leading Braves to two games, but Saturday it slipped to 5½.

This is their first real swoon under Mattingly.

“You’d like to win every series,” Mattingly said. “You hit a stretch where you’re not playing good, you’re running into some good teams and you’re not scoring, it makes it tough. Like early in the year, we run into the Braves and the Cubs when they’re both on fire and we don’t do anything with them. But that doesn’t mean we can’t beat them. It means we just gotta get going again.”

Every time the Phillies falter against postseason-level opponents, it raises concerns about October. Plus, beating high-caliber opponents would bring some confidence.

So far this year, the Phillies have lost two series to the Dodgers, two to the Cubs, two to the Braves, one to Cleveland, one to Arizona, one to the Rangers, one to Milwaukee and one to the Yankees.

All those clubs would make the playoffs if the season ended today.

The only current playoff teams they’ve won series against are the Red Sox and White Sox (one apiece). They have yet to play Tampa Bay, which leads the AL East.

“You want to play well,” Turner said. “We’re not doing enough as a team, really, just picking each other up here and there. But when there’s good teams on the other side of the field, you don’t get to make mistakes or get many extra opportunities. So we’ve just gotta play a little bit better.

“But yeah, if you run into a good team and you beat them in a series, I think it gives you confidence. … It hasn’t been our best (since the break). I think we know that. We want to play better. I just think it kind of goes back to what Donnie said early on when he got the job, it’s just 3 hours of competing and don’t let your foot off the gas. I don’t think it’s a lack of effort, but I do think we need to get that back a little bit.”

A rookie at age 32

Right-hander Brian Keller, a 32-year-old journeyman whom the Phillies signed to a minor league deal in May, made his major league debut — facing the franchise that drafted him in the 39th round 10 years ago. Mattingly called his number in the third inning after Tim Mayza served as the opener.

Keller immediately struck out Jazz Chisolm and got a groundout from Jose Caballero, but Austin Wells homered over the left-center field wall. Keller recovered, allowing just a single the rest of the way while finishing with three strikeouts and no walks over three frames.

“It was amazing, a dream come true,” a beaming Keller said. “It felt good to start on a high note, for sure. You picture it over and over. You picture it going well and you picture going poorly, but I’m glad it turned out all right.

“You know, I was surprisingly calm out there. So yeah, really happy.”

The 6-foot-3 Keller, who spent time playing in Japan and came back from Tommy John surgery, had about 20 family and friends in attendance. He made a combined 10 starts this season for the rookie-level Florida Complex League Phillies and Triple-A Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs, posting a 2.06 ERA with 41 strikeouts, 12 walks and a 0.99 WHIP while limiting opposing hitters to a .188 average.

In his last four starts with the IronPigs since June 24, Keller had a 0.82 ERA and a 0.59 WHIP. He has played seven minor league seasons in the Yankees, Red Sox and Phillies systems. He also played in the Hanshin Tigers’ farm system in 2023 before suffering elbow problems.

“He handled himself fine,” Mattingly said, shaking his head positively. “He threw strikes, he went after them. … He threw the ball over the plate, was on the attack, wasn’t walking people. So that part of it, we like.”

New outfield acquisition

The Phillies acquired outfielder Kameron Misner from the Kansas City Royals for cash considerations and optioned him to Triple-A Lehigh Valley. To make room on the 40-man roster, outfielder Steward Berroa was designated for assignment.

Misner, 28, was originally selected by the Royals in the first round (35th overall) in the 2019 draft out of the University of Missouri. The lefty played in 18 games for Kansas City this season and made 11 starts among all three outfield positions. In 41 at-bats, he slashed .220/.256/.244 with four RBIs and three stolen bases.

In 63 games for Triple-A Omaha this year, his slash line was .286/.378/.563 with a .941 OPS in 270 plate appearances. Last season, he played a total of 503.2 innings in the outfield for the Royals and was credited with five defensive runs saved and three outs above average.

He also played with the Tampa Bay Rays for two years before returning to Kansas City.

Berroa, 27, played in six games for the Phillies this season and made appearances at all three outfield spots. Born in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, Berroa was acquired by the Phillies from the Milwaukee Brewers for cash considerations April 8.

Notes

● The Phillies are 9-24 this season when they don’t hit a home run.

● Closer Jhoan Duran, with a perfect ninth, extended his scoreless innings streak to a career-high 13⅔.

● Brandon Marsh is batting .165 in July. His average is down 51 points from a season-high .338 to .287. He’s hitting just .233 vs. lefties, so Mattingly has returned to mostly starting him against right-handers, at least for now. He pinch-hit Saturday and finished 0-for-2.

● LHP Tanner Banks (forearm) was transferred to the 60-day injured list. … RHP Alex McFarlane was optioned to Triple-A Lehigh Valley following Friday night’s game. … LHP Kyle Backhus was recalled from Lehigh Valley. … RHP Max Lazar was optioned to Lehigh Valley.

● Yankees outfielder Cody Bellinger, who was awarded the MLB All-Star Game MVP in this ballpark the previous week, suffered an injury to his left hamstring rounding first on a double in the top of the eighth. He later exited the game.

Follow Christiaan DeFranco on X and Threads at @the_defranc.

Delaware County Daily Times: https://tinyurl.com/sc7bz8ve

Originally published July 15, 2026

PHILADELPHIA — Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout, a 12-time All-Star, is a staple on the Eagles’ sidelines whenever possible.

The 34-year-old native of Millville, N.J., is a season-ticket holder eager to see the Birds’ new offense after they brought in coordinator Sean Mannion and made some other staff and personnel changes.

“I am, I am,” Trout said Tuesday night outside the American League clubhouse at Citizens Bank Park. “You know, it’s crazy, I was talking to Coop (All-Pro nickel cornerback Cooper DeJean) yesterday. They start up in like two weeks. The offseason is short. I’m just happy they’re starting up.”

The Eagles open training camp July 28. On May 1, Topps released a “Finest Fan” NFL trading card featuring Trout in Eagles garb. The future baseball Hall of Famer grew up a die-hard fan of all the Philly teams, but especially the Birds and Phillies.

He pitched and played shortstop for Millville Senior High School and threw a no-hitter against Egg Harbor Township as a junior in 2008.

In 2007 and 2008, Trout played in the Phillies’ Carpenter Cup tournament — the franchise’s regional showcase of high school stars from Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware — with the Tri-Cape squad. In ‘08, he homered at CBP and made a memorable diving stab at short.

The Angels drafted him 25th overall the following year after he switched to center field.

“I look back on a lot of things. … It’s special on this field to be back,” Trout said. “I feel like I’ve come full circle.”

Trout, who has been beset by injuries in recent years, received a thunderous ovation from the hometown crowd when he was introduced at the All-Star Game — as soon as his silhouette appeared inside a Liberty Bell-shaped entryway to the field for starting players.

“I’m just happy for him, making it back (from injuries) in the place where he grew up,” said Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman, who gave an impromptu on-field hug to Trout. “Once in a generational player.”

Trout led off for the American League playing center but ended up going 0-for-3 with a strikeout. This season, mostly healthy so far, he’s hitting just .237 but with 18 homers, 39 RBIs and an .863 OPS.

Trout’s legacy as a player is sealed. Right now he’s a lifetime .291 hitter with 422 home runs, 1,057 RBIs, .566 slug, .971 OPS, 1,254 runs scored and 221 stolen bases. He’s a five-tool player who, in his prime, was the modern incarnation of Mickey Mantle.

He’s still pretty damn good when healthy.

Trout, one of the best right-handed bats ever and the 2012 AL Rookie of the Year, has three AL MVP awards, nine AL Silver Slugger awards (for best offensive player at his position) and two AL Hank Aaron awards (for best hitter). Despite not owning any Gold Gloves, he has consistently been a finalist with his superb defense.

“He was my favorite player growing up,” Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. said. “Everything about the way he played the game — I tried to model myself after him.

“Just getting to share the field with him is pretty special.”

Unfortunately for Trout and baseball fans everywhere, one of the greatest players of all time has often gone unseen because the Angels are usually irrelevant in the standings and play on the West Coast in the shadow of the well-run Dodgers. Such an oversight has only fueled speculation that Trout would (and should) eventually come home to play for the Phillies.

He owns a house down the road from his parents in Millville and built the highly exclusive Trout National golf course — designed by Tiger Woods — in neighboring Vineland.

But Trout’s best seasons seem to be behind him and he has 4½ years remaining on a hefty contract that pays him $37.1 million annually.

Also, he seems content in Anaheim — loyal to the franchise that drafted him, that has committed half a billion dollars to him — and he has refused to waive his no-trade clause. He said he’ll discuss the Angels’ future plans with interim general manager John Mozeliak at some point soon.

The Angels, under longtime owner Artie Moreno, haven’t fielded a winning team in 11 years. Trout has played in the postseason just once (2014), going 1-for-12 with a solo home run and three walks.

Mozeliak, the team’s third GM during Trout’s tenure, has said the prized outfielder will never be dealt to the Phillies.

This is the same organization that let international two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani move up the I-5 in free agency to join the Dodgers after standing pat at the 2023 trade deadline.

Does Mike Trout want to win?

“The easy way out is just to ask for a trade,” Trout has repeatedly said. “But when I signed that contract, I’m loyal. I want to win a championship here (in Anaheim). … I want to win. It would mean more to win here than somewhere else that’s already won. That’s my goal. That’s why I’m here.”

OK. But even assuming the Angels prioritize winning (which they promised Trout when he signed his current deal), there’s no recent evidence suggesting they’re even competent enough to build a contending roster.

“I have a no-trade clause, so ultimately it’s up to me,” Trout said. “I’m with the Angels.”

He’ll still be at the Linc on Eagles gamedays.

Follow Christiaan DeFranco on X and Threads at @the_defranc.

Delaware County Daily Times: https://tinyurl.com/45xvmjja

Originally published July 15, 2026

PHILADELPHIA — Cristopher Sánchez wanted one more batter.

The Phillies left-hander had already thrown 30 stressful pitches. He had loaded the bases and given up three runs. National League manager Dave Roberts of the Dodgers was ready to come get him with two outs and two men still on.

Sánchez talked his way into staying in the game.

“I asked for one more hitter because I just wanted to get through the inning,” Sánchez said through Phillies interpreter Diego D’Aniello. “Luckily, he let me have that one more hitter and I was able to get out of that first inning.”

It was about the only thing that went according to plan Tuesday night.

Starting the All-Star Game in front of a roaring Citizens Bank Park crowd, Sánchez labored through the opening frame before the American League rolled to a 4-0 victory. He allowed three runs on three hits and two walks while striking out two in the one inning, throwing 34 pitches.

The game began well enough when Sánchez dealt a changeup past South Jersey native Mike Trout of the Angels for a strikeout. But after a walk and a pair of singles loaded the bases, Yankees outfielder Cody Bellinger lined a two-run single up the middle. Fellow Yankee Ben Rice followed with an RBI single before Sánchez escaped further damage by retiring Riley Greene.

Roberts wasn’t surprised his starter looked different than he has throughout a Cy Young-caliber first half of the season.

“No, he didn’t,” Roberts said when discussing whether Sánchez had his usual stuff. “I think that with Cristopher, it was very emotional for him pitching here, being a starter at the game, so I don’t think that it’s a normal start. He just wasn’t as sharp with his command as he normally is. But it’s one of those things that it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

Despite a bumpy outing, the moment meant everything to Sánchez, who soaked in the ovation from Phillies fans before the first pitch. He tapped his chest in the bullpen during introductions and waved to family members in the stands.

“Just a sign of respect to the fans and just a little payback for all the love that they gave me on such an important day, both for me and for the fan base,” Sánchez said.

The 29-year-old from the Dominican Republic called it “an incredible experience.”

“Sharing love with the fans and how joyful they are with us, that’s part of this experience,” Sánchez said. “Also sharing the clubhouse with the superstars, it’s just an amazing thing to do.”

Bellinger, who was awarded the Ted Williams All-Star Game MVP, knows how difficult Sánchez has been to solve this season. And he entered just 2-for-8 lifetime against the Phils lefty.

“He’s such a dominant pitcher and his stuff is so good,” Bellinger said. “For me, it was all the guys in front of me. … Bases loaded, two outs, I just tried to keep it simple.”

Later, Bellinger appreciated the significance of delivering the game’s biggest hit against the hometown ace.

“Especially against Sánchez,” Bellinger said. “The pitching was just dominant today.”

National League batters didn’t exactly pick up Sánchez, producing just three hits against the stifling American League arms. The Phillies’ Kyle Schwarber, Brandon Marsh and Bryce Harper were a combined 0-for-5 with four strikeouts.

The first inning was frustrating for Sánchez, but one that hardly overshadowed what got him there. His first-half brilliance this season (11-4, 2.62 ERA, 144 strikeouts and a 1.19 WHIP) earned him the honor of becoming the first Phillies pitcher to start an All-Star Game since Roy Halladay in 2011. Even after the rocky opening inning, Sánchez left the field to another standing ovation from the home crowd.

“I’m super, super excited,” Sánchez said. “Coming from La Romana, from the Dominican Republic, from basically nothing, this means a lot. It’s just a sign that we’ve been doing things the right way and all that hard work is paying off.”

Follow Christiaan DeFranco on X and Threads at @the_defranc.

Delaware County Daily Times: https://tinyurl.com/2v5xrbzm

Originally published July 4, 2026

PHILADELPHIA — Outfielder Brandon Marsh is among five Phillies selected to the MLB All-Star Game at Citizens Bank Park on July 14.

Major League Baseball announced the All-Star rosters Saturday in front of a large crowd at Independence Mall.

Marsh, who is hitting .310 with 15 home runs, 46 RBIs and .857 OPS, was voted in by fans and will start in right field.

Phillies designated hitter Kyle Schwarber — who leads the majors with 30 homers to go along with 55 RBIs and a fourth-best .970 slug — received enough votes to qualify as a reserve. (Shohei Ohtani gets the start at DH.)

First baseman Bryce Harper is also a reserve. He was a “Legend Pick” by commissioner Rob Manfred. The legend pick is for the commissioner to add an iconic, historically significant player to the All-Star Game. Harper is batting .274 with 20 home runs and 57 RBIs.

“I think the longevity side of it (with) Harp,” Phillies manager Don Mattingly told reporters Saturday during the team’s series in Kansas City. “I think just the fact that he’s still continuing to play at that level, it’s huge.”

Phillies left-handed starting ace Cristopher Sánchez (10-3, 2.00, 136 K, 1.09 WHIP) — who threw 50⅔ consecutive scoreless innings (fifth in MLB history since 1893) earlier this season — and right-handed closer Jhoan Duran were voted in by the players (who determine pitcher selections).

This will be the first All-Star Game for Marsh and Duran.

“I think that first one is always special,” Mattingly said. “I just think that first one validates, ‘I’ve made it. I’m an All-Star.’ It’s just huge.”

Phils righty Zack Wheeler was snubbed. He missed the early part of the season recovering from thoracic outlet surgery, but he’s 8-1 with a 2.36 ERA, 84 strikeouts and 0.94 WHIP. He can still be tapped as a replacement.

National League manager Dave Roberts of the Dodgers will have to choose between Sánchez and Milwaukee Brewers ace Jacob Misiorowski as the game’s NL starter. “Miz” is 9-4 with a 1.47 ERA, 156 strikeouts and a 0.78 WHIP.

South Jersey native Mike Trout, 34, was voted to start in left field for the American League from the Los Angeles Angels. It’s the 12th All-Star selection for Trout, despite his currently underwhelming slash of .234/.394/.472. He’s injured but said he’ll try to play in some capacity.

“Grateful for everyone who voted, and honored to be selected as an All-Star again,” Trout posted on social media. “It’s pretty special to receive the news on the 250th birthday of our great nation. I love this game, and I love this country. Happy 250th, America!”

Detroit Tigers infielder and Delaware County native Kevin McGonigle was voted in as a reserve. He’s hitting .282 with seven homers, 31 RBIs, 11 stolen bases, 54 runs scored and an .814 OPS. This is his first selection.

Follow Christiaan DeFranco on X and Threads at @the_defranc.

Delaware County Daily Times: https://tinyurl.com/32ypykkr

Originally published July 2, 2026

PHILADELPHIA — The most overlooked story of the Phillies’ offseason was that they made zero effort to re-sign left-hander Ranger Suárez, one of the best big-game pitchers in baseball.

They could sure use him now.

Phillies president Dave Dombrowski let him walk like it was a foregone conclusion. This year with the dreadful Boston Red Sox, the 30-year-old Suárez is 4-3 with a 2.94 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, 92 strikeouts and 26 walks.

Two weeks ago against the Seattle Mariners, he carried a no-hitter into the seventh inning.

Dombrowski last fall: “We’d like to bring Ranger back. He’s one of our priorities. But we probably can’t keep all of our key free agents.”

Suárez’s health issues are well-documented — he missed some time each year and often broke down a bit in the second half. But its not as if he was Joel Embiid. You could usually count on him, and he was absolutely at his best when it mattered most.

In 11 career postseason appearances (42 2/3 innings, including eight starts), Suárez is 4-1 with a 1.48 ERA, 44 strikeouts, a 1.05 WHIP and a save.

His résumé includes starring roles in multiple elimination and series-clinching victories, including helping the Phillies secure the 2022 National League pennant, beating the Braves in a decisive Game 4 of the 2023 NLDS, and earning a win with five strong innings of relief against the Dodgers in last year’s NLDS.

Yet the Phillies’ response last offseason was: “Meh, buh-bye. We’ll replace you with 23-year-old Andrew Painter.”

Never mind that Painter was still recovering from Tommy John surgery, had serious command issues, and posted a less-than-stellar 5.25 ERA at Triple-A Lehigh Valley in 2025.

Now, after sending Painter back down with a 1-8 record and 7.06 ERA, the Phillies are actually thin on starting pitching — despite having a trio of frontline arms. Cristopher Sánchez, Zack Wheeler and, for the most part, Jesús Luzardo are all bankable stars. But Aaron Nola (3-5, 6.04 ERA) has become a crapshoot at best and still gives up the long ball way to much.

If one of the top three starters goes down with an injury, the Phillies are in trouble. They’re already piecemealing their fifth starter spot, once occupied by Painter.

Thursday’s 6-1 loss to the Pirates wasn’t Alan Rangel’s fault. He threw four scoreless frames to start the game, even though he piled up 90 pitches in that span, and maybe he even has a future as a starter.

“He was good,” manager Don Mattingly said. “He was kinda doing what he’s been doing for us the whole time, keeping us in the game. … You could tell he was kinda running out of gas at the end with the walks and things like that. But he did a nice job for us.”

OK. But right now — with a veteran roster and looming lockout in 2027 — the Phillies need to add a proven arm to their rotation (not to mention bullpen help and perhaps another right-handed-hitting outfielder).

“Schwarber, Realmuto, Suárez and Bader are our priorities, but it’s unlikely we’ll re-sign everybody,” Dombrowski said in the offseason. “(Owner) John (Middleton) is very supportive ... but you don’t have unlimited (money). I don’t think we’re going to have a $400 million payroll.”

The Phillies have been worried about their payroll and luxury tax. What happened to spending “stupid money”?

They re-signed DH Kyle Schwarber and catcher J.T. Realmuto. But why are Suárez and outfielder Harrison Bader no longer on the team?

Bader, 32 — a sparkplug player and punchy right-handed bat — wanted to stay here. In his brief time with the Phillies last year, he slashed .305/.361/.463 with five home runs, 16 RBIs and 30 runs scored in 194 plate appearances while playing a dynamic center field.

But he signed a two-year, $20.5 million contract with the San Francisco Giants in January. The Phillies could have afforded that!

Ranger inked a lucrative five-year, $130 million deal with Boston. That sounds like a lot until you break it down relatively.

His salary steadily increases over time, ultimately reaching $35 million in 2030 and 2031. But this year Suárez is making $7.6 million and next year $15.6 million. Wheeler, 36, who makes $42 million/year, comes off the Phillies’ books after next season.

When Suárez’s current contract is up, he’ll be younger than Wheeler is now.

These decisions aren’t 20/20 hindsight; they were questionable in real time when Dombrowski let Suárez and Bader walk away without so much as a wave goodbye last offseason.

Dombrowski is a future Hall of Fame executive, as he should be. His accomplishments are renowned.

Before Middleton persuaded him to come here in 2021, Dombrowski was working to bring a major league franchise to Nashville (which is on the horizon). He had been with Montreal, Florida, Detroit and Boston, and he had won at every stop.

His clubs, including the Phillies, have reached five World Series and won two of them — the Marlins and the Red Sox captured it all in 1997 and 2018, respectively — and he’s been a turnaround artist for struggling teams. Plus, he’s widely considered a good guy personally around baseball, for whatever it’s worth.

But how are his recent offseason decisions looking now?

Email Christiaan DeFranco at cdefranco@medianewsgroup.com. Follow him on X and Threads at @the_defranc.

Delaware County Daily Times: https://tinyurl.com/285wtxd9

Originally published July 1, 2026

PHILADELPHIA — In sweltering heat that took your breath away, Phillies right-handed ace Zack Wheeler labored through 4⅔ innings. The expected pitchers’ duel between him and Pirates righty Paul Skenes, the reigning National League Cy Young Award winner, never materialized Wednesday.

Phillies manager Don Mattingly, with a three-run lead, pulled Wheeler after 104 pitches with two men on in the fifth. Reliever Kyle Backhus promptly plunked the next two batters and Wheeler ended up charged with four runs on the night.

“I was upset at getting taken out of the game,” Wheeler said brusquely, adding that he should have been given a chance to finish the fifth. “I feel like I’ve earned that.”

Despite his troubles and some shaky Phillies defense, Wheeler struck out 10 while walking just one, though he allowed nine hits. Orion Kerkering (6-0, 2.62 ERA) picked up the win with 1⅔ flawless frames of relief — quelling a Pittsburgh rally in the seventh before Jhoan Duran took over in the ninth — as the Phillies downed the Pirates 10-6.

“I thought Wheels hung in there,” Mattingly said. “Obviously, it was one of those nights that the pitch count got extended early in the game. He didn’t get ahead in the count I’m sure as much as he would like. Gave up some soft contact for hits that just kind of extended innings, extended his pitch count.

“So it was just one of those nights. I don’t know if the heat’s got something to do with this game at all, but obviously it’s a situation where you’re not dealing with perfect weather out there.”

Wheeler (8-1, 2.36) beat Skenes in Pittsburgh on May 17 (6-0) with seven shutout innings.

Regarding Wednesday’s matchup: “I think it was a grind for both of us,” Wheeler said. “Just happy to get that done. It was the first really hot game of the year, so it takes a little getting used to. But once you get that one out of the way, it makes it a little easier for the rest of them.”

Skenes (6-8, 3.62 ERA) hasn’t won since May 12 against the Rockies. The Phillies roughed him up for seven earned runs over four frames Wednesday. They scored in four different innings, including multiple runs in the second, fourth and eighth.

What Wheeler, Backhus and righty Seth Johnson couldn’t get done in the early and middle innings, the Phillies’ bats made up for. In two games against Skenes this year, they’ve now tagged him for 12 earned runs.

“(Skenes’) stuff is good,” Mattingly said. “Pretty much every time out, he’s gonna have good stuff. But we just kind of kept going. Our club’s not really afraid of anybody. It doesn’t matter who the guy is. We’ve got guys who have had success in their careers.”

Trea Turner stayed hot at the plate, going 2-for-5 with a home run and three RBIs. Brandon Marsh went 2-for-4 with a homer, walk and two runs. Gabriel Rincones Jr. was 2-for-3 with a walk and two runs. Alec Bohm homered and scored twice, and Bryce Harper added a two-run double.

“This kind of game tonight, you never really felt like you had enough (runs),” Mattingly said. “So to continue to score was huge. … A lot of good things — obviously Trea continues to roll, Harp big hit, Rincones was on all night, Bohm, Marsh. … We just kept scoring.”

After a terrible start this season, Turner’s bat has finally come to life over the past two weeks. In his last 14 games, he’s slashing .350/.381/.948 with 10 RBIs and 18 runs scored. He’s helping provide the right-handed punch they’ve needed.

“I’m not missing mistakes,” Turner said. “I feel like I’m getting in some better counts. I feel like I’m driving off-speed pitches a little bit better and then just kind of using the whole field, really. I feel good again.

“I felt like the two-strike swing came around in Washington, and then I felt like I could mess around and make some adjustments and fall back on that and rely on that. I’ve gotten a lot of two-strike hits in the last couple weeks. That was a big thing for me, so now I can kind of get in (deeper) counts and do some different things. Today I abandoned the leg kick after the first at-bat — felt like I was flying open a little bit — and made a good adjustment.”

Turner said a key to the Phillies’ success is the entire lineup getting involved and picking up the pitching staff.

“I feel like recently, we kind of keep adding (runs),” Turner said. “That’s the difference in the games. You don’t know what’s going to happen. You gotta keep adding on when you can. … “Maybe a few weeks ago, we wouldn’t do that. I felt like everybody did their job today.

“It’s been an extended period of time now where we’ve been putting up a lot more runs, been a lot more dangerous. It’s more than just Kyle (Schwarber), Bryce and Marsh kind of doing everything. It’s nice to have the other six guys contributing in the lineup. Just keep rolling, keep doing what we’re doing and keep stacking up wins.”

The Phillies (49-38) remained 2½ games behind the NL East-leading Atlanta Braves (50-34) who beat St. Louis 5-1 on Wednesday.

Follow Christiaan DeFranco on X and Threads at @the_defranc.

Delaware County Daily Times: https://tinyurl.com/2h33mbxx

Originally published June 18, 2026

PHILADELPHIA — Phillies right fielder Adolis Garcia will undergo right latissimus dorsi repair surgery on Wednesday and is officially out for the season.

The lat muscles connect the arms to the spine, pelvis and upper ribs. Garcia injured himself while making a throw home June 10 against the Toronto Blue Jays.

Dr. Anthony Romeo in Chicago will perform the surgery, which usually requires six to eight months of recovery. The Phillies expect Garcia to be ready for the start of the 2027 season — though he signed just a one-year deal here in December.

Garcia, 33, was slashing .195/.270/.329 with seven home runs and 21 RBIs while playing an outstanding outfield. His bat was just beginning to heat up before he got hurt.

In other action, the Phillies recalled right-handed pitcher Seth Johnson and selected the contract of right-hander Bryse Wilson, both from Triple-A Lehigh Valley, on Thursday after demoting 23-year-old rookie righty Andrew Painter a day earlier.

To make room on the 26-man roster, they also optioned left-hander Tanner Banks to Lehigh Valley.

“We think the best thing for (Painter) is to kind of get reset, to work on some things and let their pitching people talk with him,” Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said Thursday. “He’s been working on it now, and they tell me he’s been doing very well on the sides. It hasn’t carried over to a game yet.

“It’s difficult, but we’ve sent many good pitchers down, many good players down. They go down and they get reset and they come back and do well. That’s what our goals are and it’s what we think will happen.”

The 6-foot-7, 215-pound Painter was 1-8 with a 7.06 ERA with the Phils. In Wednesday’s series finale against Miami, he was rocked for six earned runs in two innings.

“He had major, major Tommy John surgery (in 2023), so last year he was coming back off that,” Dombrowski said. “Sometimes it takes a while to come back and be quite as effective. His stuff is — his fastball is upper 90s, he’s got three good breaking balls, he’s got a split. He’ll command his pitches better when he gets his delivery refined. So we think he’s going to be a very good big-league pitcher.”

Johnson, 27, joins the Phillies for the third time this season. In his last stint, which included outings on April 19 and 20, he made two scoreless appearances with three strikeouts and a walk in two innings of work.

Johnson has pitched in 24 games of relief for Lehigh Valley this season and posted a 1.33 ERA with 40 strikeouts, 10 walks and a 1.00 WHIP. Opponents are batting .172 against him, and he has converted all his save opportunities.

Among International League pitchers with at least 25 innings pitched this year, Johnson ranks sixth in both ERA and WHIP.

Wilson, 28, has pitched in 12 games (11 starts) for the IronPigs this year and has a 6.29 ERA with 58 strikeouts and 21 walks. He has not allowed a run in his last three starts dating back to May 28 and currently has a 13.0-inning scoreless streak.

Wilson has gone 20-23 with a 4.82 ERA, 333 strikeouts and 151 walks in 163 career major league appearances (57 starts) with the Atlanta Braves (2018-21), Pittsburgh Pirates (2021-22), Milwaukee Brewers (2023-24) and Chicago White Sox (2025). He signed with the Phillies as a minor league free agent in December and was a non-roster invitee to MLB spring training.

Banks, 34, has pitched in 26 games (one start) for the Phillies this season and has a 5.86 ERA with 31 strikeouts and 13 walks. He has pitched in 117 career games for the Phillies, posting a 3.85 ERA with 115 strikeouts, 35 walks and a 1.28 WHIP.

Notes

● With Thursday’s 6-4 loss to the Mets, the Phillies have dropped two straight.

● Trea Turner (right calf contusion) eventually left the game after being hit by a pitch. He is day-to-day.

● Reliever Jose Alvarado gave up three earned runs. His ERA is now up to 6.58.

● Bryce Harper is hitting .188 in his last 15 games.

● Actor Joe Piscopo and Hall of Fame third basemen Mike Schmidt and George Brett threw out the first pitches. Schmidt and Brett, in town for one of Schmidt’s charities, later joined Tom McCarthy and John Kruk in the TV booth. Mets broadcaster and former first baseman Keith Hernandez briefly stopped by to say hello to all of them.

● The Phillies resume the Mets series Saturday at Citizens Bank Park after Friday’s off day for the World Cup match between Brazil and Haiti across the street.

Follow Christiaan DeFranco on X and Threads at @the_defranc.

Delaware County Daily Times: https://tinyurl.com/5smrj6vs

Originally published June 17, 2026

PHILADELPHIA — As Phillies bats bopped baseballs out of the ballpark like it was BP — drilling three dingers into the dusk and posting seven runs in the first two innings — left-hander Jesús Luzardo was as steady as can be.

Luzardo entered with a dismal home record of 1-4 and a 7.34 ERA. He previously joked it was the polarizing City Connect unis that were the cause of all his troubles at Citizens Bank Park, but the Phillies were in their traditional fire-engine red pinstripes Tuesday during an 8-2 romp over the Miami Marlins. And Luzardo was magnificent.

He scattered five hits over seven innings, striking out nine while walking a pair. He didn’t surrender a hit through the first four frames

The two-run homer he gave up to Esteury Ruiz came in the seventh, his final inning of work. Luzardo was annoyed with himself, but the game was comfortably in hand.

“After the first (inning), I feel like I really found a groove getting back in the zone,” said Luzardo, who issued a walk to start the game. “Kind of lost it at the beginning and then made some adjustments and I felt way better.”

Of the 106 pitches Luzardo threw, 73 were strikes. He worked in and out of a bases-loaded jam in the fifth and otherwise cruised.

“Jesús was good, 21 of 28 first-pitch strikes,” manager Don Mattingly said. “We’re able to score early, and him throwing zeroes and we score again.”

Marlins right-handed starter Tyler Phillips (1-2) came in boasting a 1.86 ERA. It ballooned to 3.10 by the time he departed. Brandon Marsh, Alec Bohm and Kyle Schwarber all went deep. Bryson Stott tripled.

“I think when our offense is rolling like that, it gives the pitchers a little more freedom to attack the zone,” Luzardo (6-4, 4.20 ERA, 1.31 WHIP) said.

“It feels great (to perform well at home),” said Luzardo, who was in rhythm and dealing his changeup. “Obviously, I know I can do it. I just really think it’s a coincidence. It’s unfortunate — no one wants to pitch badly, especially at home — but the routine stays the same and today I felt really good. So hopefully (I’ll) keep building on that.”

Brandon Marsh hit leadoff and finished 1-for-3 with an opposite-field, two-run homer, a walk, a stolen base and two runs scored. He has been one of the leading hitters in baseball since May of last year (.314/.375/.489) and he’s a leading outfield vote-getter to start the All-Star Game at Citizens Bank Park on July 14.

“I haven’t really looked at it, to be honest with you,” Marsh said of the voting. “I’m really just trying to enjoy now and just take it day-by-day and see where it all falls out at the end.”

The Phillies placed right-handed reliever Brad Keller on the 15-day injured list, retroactive to June 14, with right forearm tendinitis. They recalled righty Max Lazar from Triple-A Lehigh Valley to fill his spot on the big-league roster.

Keller, 30, has made 31 appearances for the Phillies this season and is 2-1 with a 4.15 ERA, 31 strikeouts and 12 walks. He has converted three of his four save opportunities.

“We feel good about him, and we’re looking more at the long game with him and making sure he’s going to be available as we go forward,” Mattingly said. “We always do (imaging). Just probably inflammation and stuff like that. It is something we know has been nagging. He’s been a little hesitant talking to us about it, but we don’t need any heroes right now.”

Keller has held opposing hitters to an average exit velocity of 85.9 mph and a 32.6% hard-hit rate, which rank in the 94th and 83rd percentile, respectively, among major league pitchers this year.

Lazar, 27, has pitched in 15 games across three levels of the Phillies system this season, including 11 in rehab assignments. He has a combined 3.93 ERA with 16 strikeouts and six walks. The 6-foot-2 right-hander was reinstated from the 60-day injured list on May 30.

Lazar made 36 relief appearances for the Phillies last season and was 1-1 with a 4.79 ERA and one save.

NOTES: The Phillies improved to 31-14 under Mattingly, including winning 11 of 15 series. … Schwarber played first base while Bryce Harper was DH. … Trea Turner had the night off after being hit by a pitch on his right wrist the previous game. X-rays were negative. … The Phillies’ City Connect uniforms (dark blue, light blue, black, yellow trim, street-gang-style font reading “Philly”) will be replaced with an entirely new design in 2027.

Follow Christiaan DeFranco on X and Threads at @the_defranc.

Delaware County Daily Times: https://tinyurl.com/szyxe5mn

PHILADELPHIA — The baseball looked lighter Sunday afternoon at Citizens Bank Park. Or maybe the Phillies just stopped carrying the weight of April around with them.

A little less than two weeks after firing manager Rob Thomson during a 9-19 spiral, the Phillies wrapped up their fourth-straight series victory by blanking the Colorado Rockies 6-0 behind two more home runs from Kyle Schwarber and another dominant outing from left-hander Cristopher Sánchez.

More importantly, they left town for a six-game road trip looking like themselves again, like the team this city had been waiting to see all year.

The Phillies are 10-3 under interim manager Don Mattingly — a stretch that easily could have become the season’s breaking point, as they’re still nine games behind the red-hot Braves in the NL East. The standings still matter. The hole from April still exists. But the panic has eased because the Phillies suddenly resemble a team with a pulse, swagger and purpose.

Not coincidentally, they’ve started doing the little things that vanished during the losing streak.

They’ve gotten cleaner starting pitching. Better defense. Better at-bats. Better baserunning. Better energy.

“We’re playing with more urgency right now,” Mattingly said. “Guys are locked in from the first pitch, and when we do that, we’re a tough team to beat.”

The Phillies are hardly steamrolling elite competition in the last four series. The Rockies arrived in Philadelphia as one of baseball’s weakest teams. Miami and San Francisco have both struggled — though the Athletics sit atop the AL West.

But aside from the Braves and Cubs, bad teams spent much of April embarrassing the Phillies too. Winning the games they’re supposed to win counts for something, especially after the way the season began.

And unlike during the early swoon, the Phils suddenly look connected again.

“When everybody’s contributing, the lineup feels different,” Bryce Harper said. “That’s the offense we expect to be.”

Schwarber is back to carrying big innings and is tied with Aaron Judge for the MLB lead in home runs with 16. Alec Bohm responded to his “reset” days off with a two-homer breakout Saturday and then drove in a run Sunday. Harper returned in the Rockies series finale after a migraine scare and immediately homered. Brandon Marsh leads the majors with a .353 batting average.

“We knew we were better than how we played early on,” Schwarber said. “Now we’re starting to stack good games together instead of trying to win everything in one night.”

The clubhouse no longer feels like a room waiting for bad things to happen.

“The energy’s different right now,” Sánchez said. “Guys are playing loose again, and you can feel the confidence coming back.”

Mattingly said it’s what this group is supposed to look like. That may ultimately become the defining question of this Phillies season: Was April the truth or was it the outlier?

Because the roster still looks dangerous. The payroll still screams contender. And the core players who carried this franchise into October the last several years are still here.

The Phillies don’t suddenly look fixed. They remain under .500 (19-22) after digging themselves such an enormous hole. But a season that looked close to detonating now feels alive again.

As the Phillies head to Boston and Pittsburgh, that matters almost as much as the standings themselves.

Email Christiaan DeFranco at cdefranco@medianewsgroup.com. Follow him on X and Threads at @the_defranc.

Delaware County Daily Times: https://tinyurl.com/4fjs9jud

PHILADELPHIA — Hours after taking over as Phillies interim manager, Don Mattingly was in a familiar spot: at first base next to a bucket of baseballs, helping run pregame infield/outfield practice.

“I’m always in the role that I was in in the past or, you know, before this happened,” he said Tuesday. “I’m the support staff, right?”

“Donnie Baseball” — an iconic former player who was king of New York with the Yankees for most of a decade in the mid-1980s through the early ‘90s — signed on as Phillies bench coach before spring training. He neither expected nor wanted to become the new skipper.

“Dave asked. That’s pretty much it,” Mattingly said of accepting the managerial job, referencing team president Dave Dombrowski, who let Rob Thomson go Tuesday morning. The gig likely won’t extend beyond this season, win or lose, but who knows?

“I came in here not wanting to be in front, knowing how good these guys were and the style of play they had, never feeling comfortable with the lead — things like that,” Mattingly said. “I love Topper.”

Mattingly, whose son Preston is the Phillies’ general manager and Dombrowski’s right-hand man, previously managed the Dodgers and Marlins. Most recently he was bench coach with the Toronto Blue Jays, who lost a classic seven-game World Series to the Dodgers last fall.

He is third in a succession of former Yankees to serve as Phillies manager, starting with Joe Girardi in 2020, then Thomson, who took over in June of 2022.

“I don’t think they’re looking for ex-Yankees, right? We’re trying to win games at this point,” Mattingly said.

But the 65-year-old former first baseman, whose plaque in Yankee Stadium’s vaunted Monument Park sits between Reggie Jackson’s and Ron Guidry’s, said he feels like he has begun to develop a rapport with many players here — even if he’s still getting to know some of them — thanks to his support role.

“While you’re doing that (role), you know, you have conversations with players,” Mattingly said. “I like these guys. … I want to have more conversations.”

During a whirlwind day after Thomson’s firing, Mattingly did address the team as a whole.

“Really what we talked about was us being ourselves and playing good baseball,” he said. “It’s about doing all the little things — getting ahead in counts, being aggressive on the bases, good at-bats up and down the lineup. All those things contribute to wins.

“You feel this coming,” he added after Tuesday night’s 7-0 victory over San Francisco, which saw the Phillies crack 11 hits while Jesús Luzardo tossed seven dazzling innings. “I’ve been around long enough to feel the last game in Chicago (April 23, an 8-7 loss in extras) — the fight. The games in Atlanta (April 24-26), we had a chance to win two out of three there. … This has been coming.

“You know when you have this type of talent, it’s there and it’s coming.”

Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper, who played in the World Baseball Classic in March, said he’s still becoming familiar with Mattingly as both a man and a manager.

“I haven’t really been around him too much, just because I was out of spring training” Harper said. “Obviously, the last three weeks I’ve been around him, but just still trying to get to know him as a person and a professional as well.

“He’s one of the best first basemen to ever play the game, played in a tough environment in the Bronx. He’s got a lot of stuff in that head to help us play better and things like that. We’re looking forward to turning the page (after Harper gave considerable deference to Thomson), and hopefully it starts to roll a little bit.”

Almost immediately after the Red Sox fired manager Alex Cora and five coaches last weekend in a Saturday night massacre in Boston, Dombrowski called Cora to try bringing him to the Phillies. The two won a championship together in Boston in 2018 and have a close relationship. But Cora ultimately declined, at least for now, wanting to take some time away with his family.

It was after this series of events that Dombrowski turned to Mattingly, who made third-base coach Dusty Wathan his bench coach and promoted Triple-A Lehigh Valley manager Anthony Contreras to fill Wathan’s previous role.

Dombrowski said he never considered replacing any of the coaching staff himself — which seems difficult to fathom — and left it up to Mattingly.

“He was very supportive of the coaching staff. He wanted to keep the coaching staff together,” Dombrowski said.

Mattingly concurred: “I have confidence in everyone in there,” he said.

The Phillies, with a $311 million payroll, entered the homestand against the Giants 28th in the majors in runs (102), 29th in batting average (.219), 29th in on-base percentage (.294), 27th in slugging (.362), last in productive-out percentage (19.4) and tied for 20th in stolen bases (11).

They were also last in starter ERA (5.80), 26th in team WHIP (1.47) and 29th in opponents’ batting average (.280).

The offensive issues have been the most glaring, not only this year but in recent postseasons. Yet hitting coach Kevin Long — with whom many players, including Harper, Trea Turner and Kyle Schwarber, have longstanding relationships — has been immune to staffing changes. He’s another former Yankee, for whom Aaron Judge and Alex Rodriguez have strongly advocated.

“Kevin Long, if you ask around the big leagues, is one of the best hitting coaches in baseball. Has been for a long time,” Mattingly said. “We’ve had multiple issues. It’s not just hitting. We need to play better baseball. Pretty much as simple as that.

“I really like the continuity of the staff, and I want to keep it like that.

“If you truly look in the mirror, this club, with the talent we have, we know we haven’t performed to what we’re capable of. I know how good these guys are, and we just have to go prove that. We can talk about it all we want, and we can put things on paper all we want, but we have to go play.”

Follow Christiaan DeFranco on X and Threads at @the_defranc.

Delaware County Daily Times: https://tinyurl.com/59kz9w8f

PHILADELPHIA — As Yogi Berra said, it’s getting late early.

The Major League Baseball season is only in its fourth week and roughly 141 games remain, but the Phillies entered their series finale against Atlanta having lost eight of their last 10 games.

With Saturday night’s defeat, they’ve dropped four straight series. They’re hovering near the bottom of the division, just above the melting-down Mets, while the first-place Braves look like the real deal.

Last year, it was the Braves who stumbled out of the gate (5-13) and they never fully recovered. As the Phillies embark on a seven-game road trip, the “it’s still early” rationalization is rapidly wearing thin.

“We’ve just got to play better baseball,” manager Rob Thomson said. “It’s about executing — throwing strikes, getting timely hits, doing the little things. … That’s the game.

“You’ve just got to keep grinding, stick with the process.”

Right-hander Taijuan Walker has had a disastrous start to the season (1-3, 9.16 ERA, 2.036 WHIP), and lefty Jesús Luzardo (1-3, 7.94, 1.456) has had his share of struggles. But Luzardo has a history of steering back on track. And if everything runs smoothly, veteran ace Zack Wheeler will return from rehab this week and Walker will be out of the rotation — though Walker is currently slated for one more start.

Relievers Jhoan Duran, Jonathan Bowlan and Zach Pop are on the injured list, so it’s extra important that Brad Keller, Jose Alvarado and Orion Kerkering step up in the bullpen. The bigger concern has been the offense — not just the lack of hits, but the way many at-bats have unfolded.

Too often, the Phillies have looked impatient early in counts and vulnerable once they fall behind. The lineup has chased pitches far out of the zone, struggled to string together quality plate appearances and tried to win at-bats with one swing.

Even when they seem to break out of it, like in last Monday’s 13-7 victory over the Cubs, they revert to old habits.

The Phillies’ early-season struggles against left-handed pitching have been well-documented. They’re batting just .176 against lefties, among the worst marks in the majors. Their production against southpaws has cratered to roughly a .510 OPS.

Last year, Philadelphia was solid in those matchups, hitting .252 with a .745 OPS against lefties — good enough to rank among the better teams in the league.

The issues at the plate have also shown up in the strikeout column. Entering the series finale against Atlanta, the Phillies had 175 punchouts — the third-most in the majors. They strike out approximately 23% of the time, failing to put pressure on opposing defenses.

Until the lineup shows more discipline and a willingness to grind through plate appearances — especially against left-handed pitching — the offense may continue to sputter, regardless of talent.

“It’s a long season,” said catcher J.T. Realmuto, who has been dealing with lower back soreness. “But you don’t want to dig yourself a hole early. We’ve got to clean up some things and start playing the way we know we can.”

Why not run?

Instead of a feast-or-famine approach on offense, the Phillies could employ some small ball to manufacture runs and provide a spark. For a roster loaded with speed, the Phillies haven’t used it.

Entering the series finale against Atlanta, the Phils had stolen just 10 bases on 13 attempts, ranking 26th in the majors. Several clubs have already topped 25–30 steals this April as they continue to exploit the larger bases and pickoff limits.

That makes the Phillies’ inactivity stand out. Trea Turner, one of baseball’s premier base stealers when he wants to be, and rookie Justin Crawford — who swiped 60 bases in the minors last year — give the lineup two obvious running threats. Brandon Marsh, Bryson Stott and even Bryce Harper could also run more.

But the Phils have rarely tested opposing batteries

The Phillies ran a fair amount last year, so they aren’t opposed to it philosophically. They weren’t a high-volume running team, finishing 12th in the majors with 124 steals, but they were efficient, converting more than 80% of their attempts. Turner’s 36 steals led the club, with Bryson Stott adding 24.

Right now, they’re on pace for 65% of that team total.

Sosa’s difficult week

Edmundo Sosa’s big moment early last week didn’t carry over in the ensuing days.

Sosa crushed a three-run homer and went 2-for-4 in the Phillies’ loss to the Cubs last Tuesday, briefly reigniting talk about giving the versatile infielder more starts.

Since that performance, Sosa struggled to find consistency at the plate while filling in as a starter at third and second, and his fielding miscue opened the door to three unearned runs in Saturday’s loss. A night earlier, he was waving at pitches 6-10 inches out of the zone.

Last Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, Sosa went 2-for-11 with four strikeouts and stranded three runners in scoring position.

Follow Christiaan DeFranco on X and Threads at @the_defranc.

Delaware County Daily Times: https://tinyurl.com/4ebhvpnn

PHILADELPHIA — According to Jerry Seinfeld, “People like to say salsa.”

Around here, people like to say Sosa.

Edmundo Sosa delivered again Tuesday night, much to the delight of Phillies fans.

The Phillies lost to the Chicago Cubs in the second installment of their three-game series at Citizens Bank Park, but Sosa injected life into the lineup — the kind of spark he often seems to provide when he starts.

“I just keep working every day on the things I have to do,” Sosa said through team interpreter Diego D’Aniello. “During the days I didn’t play, I kept working on anything that we needed. Always ready, always focused. We have a plan when we go out to work.”

Sosa crushed a three-run homer to center field — 442 feet, just left of the shrubbery and onto Ashburn Alley — in the second inning to put the Phils and right-hander Aaron Nola up 3-0, waving a hand in the air as he rounded the bases.

He lined a double into the left-field corner to lead off a rally in the eighth, later coming home to help account for all four Phillies runs in the 10–4 defeat.

After that double, he made a questionable decision to take third on a Justin Crawford flyout to center, but replay confirmed he slipped the tag. It was an exhilarating moment.

And he played a virtually flawless third base in place of Alec Bohm.

If salsa is an underrated condiment that should be on every restaurant table, Sosa is an underrated player who should — perhaps — play every day.

Such a flavor jolt is hard to come by.

Manager Rob Thomson wanted to give Bohm a breather Tuesday and get Sosa some consistent at-bats. It was his first start in a week.

The effort was vintage Sosa and again raised the question: Is there a way to get this super-utility man into the lineup more often?

The manager bobbed his head sideways — considering all the stats and analytics and previous forays down that road. Right now, he won’t commit to more than a day or so.

“If he keeps performing, we’ve got to find a way to get him in,” Thomson said. “He’s gonna play (Wednesday) against a lefty.”

Sosa is a natural athlete. He has played a ton of shortstop in his career, particularly with the St. Louis Cardinals. Since arriving here in 2022, he mainly fills in at third for Bohm and at second for Bryson Stott, both of whom have been scuffling at the plate this year. (Once in a blue moon, the Phillies have experimented with Sosa in left field.)

After nights like Tuesday, the debate gets louder about whether he should be the full-time starter at third base.

Sosa, 30, is only five months older than Bohm. Both of their contracts are up at the end of the season. Bohm, a homegrown Phillies product, is making $7.7 million this year. Sosa is making $3 million.

Asked if salary plays a role in who gets more playing time, Thomson was unequivocal.

“No, never,” he said. “Not the salary, no. Never. It’s all about performance. … Performance is everything.”

Bohm hasn’t exactly won the hearts and minds of Phillies fans lately. The team has been open to moving him the last two offseasons but didn’t receive enough of a bite. He’s slashing .155/.231/.224 this April, though he’s had some better at-bats recently.

Speaking of that eighth-inning rally Sosa started, it could have been much more. Thomson sent Bohm up to pinch hit for the red-hot Brandon Marsh against Cubs lefty Caleb Thielbar. The bases were loaded and the Phils were down by four. He struck out.

A smattering of boos surfaced among the fans still remaining, and a stream toward the exits ensued.

Bohm plays nearly every day. Sosa fills in, often against left-handed pitching or when the Phillies want a defensive boost late in games. Offensively, the difference starts with consistency.

Since both players arrived in Philadelphia in 2022, Bohm has been productive against both sides of pitching. During that span he has hit roughly .301/.349/.446 against left-handers and .269/.317/.404 against right-handers, numbers that make him playable every day.

Sosa’s splits tell a different story.

Against left-handed pitching he has been excellent, hitting about .292/.335/.455 since joining the Phillies. Against right-handers the production falls to roughly .236/.285/.364.

That gap can’t be ignored. It’s why Sosa is often in the lineup when a lefty starts but not when a right-hander takes the mound. A bench player who mashes one type of pitching is still incredibly useful. It just doesn’t always translate to everyday value.

Manager Rob Thomson appreciates the flexibility.

“He’s ready every day,” Thomson said. “Whenever you put him in there, he gives you good at-bats and plays good defense.”

Sosa said he embraces the role.

“I just try to help the team,” he said. “If they need me to start, I start. If they need defense late, I do that.”

Defense keeps the debate alive

Where Sosa really strengthens the argument to play every day is in the field. He is the quicker athlete and the better range defender at third base. His first step and lateral movement allow him to reach balls deep in the hole that many third basemen cannot get to.

Bohm, though, has gradually improved. After struggling early in his career, he has settled into something close to league-average defense at third base over the past couple seasons. He handles routine plays more consistently and charges slow rollers with confidence.

That improvement shrinks the defensive gap enough that Bohm’s more complete offensive profile still carries the day.

In other words: Sosa might be the flashier defender, but Bohm still provides the more stable everyday package.

The Stott comparison

If Sosa has another path to more starts, it might be at second base. That’s where he filled in Wednesday night, going 1-for-4 with two strikeouts.

Stott, who’s struggling so far this year, has been the Phillies’ regular at second since 2022. Like Bohm, he produces against both sides of pitching — .248/.301/.344 against lefties and .277/.339/.415 versus righties.

Sosa’s slash is decidedly better against left-handers than Stott’s. The Phillies have leaned into that dynamic at times, with Sosa getting spot starts at second. In 2023, he produced a 146 wRC+ against southpaws, hitting .318/.362/.533 in those situations.

Defensively, Stott is excellent (despite being tagged with an error on Tuesday). Statcast metrics have consistently rated him among the better defensive second basemen in the league. In 2023, he recorded eight Outs Above Average, ranking in the 94th percentile. But Sosa is still a plus defender at second base.

It’s Stott’s combination of solid offense against right-handers, passable production against lefties, speed and strong defense that maintains him as the everyday option. At least for now.

The right role

What Sosa does best might be exactly what he did Tuesday.

He jumps into the lineup, creates energy and forces the other team to work. He can play third, second or shortstop and often improves the defense when he enters late.

And when the matchup favors him — especially against left-handed pitching — he can be more than a role player. But over a full season, the broader offensive profiles of Bohm and Stott still matter.

That is why the Phillies keep Sosa exactly where he is: one of the most useful bench players in the National League.

And one of the most reliable sparks when the lineup needs one.

Follow Christiaan DeFranco on X and Threads at @the_defranc.

Delaware County Daily Times: https://tinyurl.com/bdz739jv

PHILADELPHIA — As Rob Thomson settled into his usual spot in the dugout for his pregame media session Monday, he glanced around.

“Seems like there’s a few less of you than normal,” the Phillies manager said.

One reporter pointed out that there was a big hockey game across the street, where the Flyers were getting ready to face Carolina with the playoffs on the line.

“Yeah, that is a big one,” said the Canadian-born Thomson, a lifelong Toronto Maple Leafs fan from southwestern Ontario, shaking his head in agreement.

The assembled media and 36,045 fans in attendance at Citizens Bank Park — many keeping one eye on the Flyers game — witnessed the Phillies’ offense finally erupt like they’d been waiting for this season. As the Flyers rallied to clinch their first playoff berth in six years, the Phils drilled 15 hits and scored in six different innings during a 13-7 romp over the Chicago Cubs.

Everyone in the starting lineup had a hit except for rookie Justin Crawford, whose bat has been a bright spot this year (.306/.370/.429).

For the better part of a week, and really since opening day, the Phillies had looked tight. Every at-bat seemed rushed, every swing urgent. They had scored in just three of the last 46 innings.

The tension finally broke Monday night. The Phillies’ lineup relaxed and spread the ball to all fields. Kyle Schwarber homered twice, J.T. Realmuto had three hits and three RBIs, Brandon Marsh added three hits, and Adolis Garcia — moved to the cleanup spot — went 2-for-4 with an RBI double as the offense exploded.

Even in a loss to Arizona a day earlier, some guys were starting to show signs of life. Like Trea Turner, who was a combined 3-for-8 with a homer, two RBIs and two runs scored Sunday and Monday.

The difference, Thomson said, was simple: “It’s guys not trying to do too much.”

“It think they needed it, just to kind of breath a little bit,“ he said. “It was a good night all around. … But it’s just one day. We’ve got another one tomorrow. You’ve got to come back with the same focus. You can’t feel like, ‘Well, we’re back.’ You’ve got to keep working and fighting and grinding.”

The Phillies stopped trying to win every at-bat with one swing. For a club built on power and patience, the best approach was a quieter one: Let the game come to you and trust the next guy.

Bryce Harper knocked a hit the opposite way and scored twice. Alec Bohm, down in the lineup to take some pressure off, singled and drove in a pair of runs.

“He had good at-bats,” Thomson said of Bohm. “He looked better.”

The tone for the evening was set immediately. Schwarber led off the bottom of the first inning by driving an 0-1 changeup from Cubs starter Javier Assad over the wall in center field. Two innings later he went deep again, a two-run blast that made it 4-0 and ignited the ballpark.

But the Phillies’ night was less about a single swing than a series of them.

They strung together hits, moved runners and kept innings alive. A five-run fifth inning broke the game open, highlighted by a Marsh double and RBI hits from Bryson Stott and Realmuto.

By the time the dust settled, the Phillies were 8-for-14 with runners in scoring position. It was the type of offense that had been missing during a recent skid.

The Phillies’ approach didn’t appear overnight.

Before the series finale against Arizona on Sunday, Turner spoke about resisting the urge to press when the lineup goes cold. The key, he said, is remembering that nine hitters share the workload.

“You can’t try to do too much,” Turner said, as Thomson reflected. “Just take your at-bat, trust the guys behind you and let the lineup work.”

That message echoed through Monday’s series opener against the Cubs.

Turner scored twice and helped spark the offense from the top of the order. Realmuto kept rallies alive in the middle. Marsh delivered multiple clutch hits. Even productive outs — like Bohm’s sacrifice fly in the fifth — added to the pressure on Chicago’s pitching staff.

Schwarber said the lineup works best when it stays connected.

“When everyone just passes it along, that’s when we’re tough,” he said after the victory. “You don’t feel like you have to be the guy every time.”

It showed in the way the Phillies attacked Assad. Rather than chasing early-count pitches, they forced the Cubs right-hander into the zone and punished mistakes.

Assad lasted only 4 1/3 frames and allowed nine runs on 11 hits.

Schwarber’s two home runs grabbed the headlines, but even he described them as the byproduct of a calmer approach. He has spent most of his career embracing patience — deep counts, selective swings, and letting pitchers make mistakes.

Monday’s swings were classic Schwarber: quick, direct and driven by timing rather than force.

“Sometimes when you’re trying too hard, everything speeds up,” he said. “When you slow it down and just take a good swing, the ball tends to find the barrel.”

Both homers were to center field, a sign he was staying through the ball instead of trying to yank it into the right-field seats.

The Phillies have seen enough Aprils to know that one big offensive night doesn’t fix everything. Still, if the lineup keeps Monday’s approach in mind — less pressing, more trusting — the results could follow.

NOTES: RHP Jonathan Bowlan went on the 15-day IL with a right groin straight. To replace him on the 26-man roster, the Phillies called up RHP Seth Johnson from Triple-A Lehigh Valley. He gave up five runs — three earned — on four hits and two walks with a strikeout in 1 2/3 innings Monday. Johnson was sent back down Tuesday and the team recalled RHP Chase Shugart. … Schwarber’s two bombs gave him six on the season. It was the 37th multi-homer game of his career, his first this season and first since Sept. 24, 2025, against Miami.

Follow Christiaan DeFranco on X and Threads at @the_defranc.

Delaware County Daily Times: https://tinyurl.com/c6ew2xv7

PHILADELPHIA — After Tanner Banks nearly frittered away starter Andrew Painter’s dazzling major-league debut in the sixth and seventh innings, Brad Keller and Jhoan Duran entered in the final two frames to lock down the rookie’s inaugural win in the bigs.

With a 3-0 lead, Banks surrendered an inherited run and later a run of his own before the Phillies went on to a 3-2 victory over Washington Tuesday night.

The unflappable Painter allowed just four hits while striking out eight over 5 1/3, leaving the mound to his third and loudest standing ovation of the night when manager Rob Thomson made a call to the pen.

“It was awesome,” said Painter, a lean, 6-foot-7 right-hander with a boy-next-door face. “Crowd showed up tonight. I just kind of soaked all of it in. I don’t think I could have drawn it up much better.”

As spectacular as 22-year-old Painter’s performance was, the effective combo of Keller and Duran was another positive that shouldn’t be overlooked.

“We didn’t have (Jose) Alvarado tonight because of the pitch count last night, but those guys are power guys, they throw strikes,” Thomson said. “Keller had the one walk and he was a little upset about it, but those guys throw strikes and they get both sides out. It’s a good combination.”

Ideally, the Phillies would like Alvarado to handle the seventh inning, Keller the eighth and Duran to close out the ninth. (Keller and Alvarado could occasionally swap.)

No more bullpen by committee. The plan goes back to the days of more defined bullpen roles, with setup men and a dominant closer who could shorten a game from nine innings to six if their team had the lead.

That formula helped the Phillies win the World Series in 2008, when they had J.C. Romero, Ryan Madson and Brad Lidge. It helped propel the late-1990s Yankees with Mike Stanton, Jeff Nelson and Mariano Rivera. The list of examples goes on.

Now, it allows a guy like Orion Kerkering (once he’s healthy) to be a middle-inning fireman. That was Banks’ role Tuesday.

Since the explosion of analytics, the classic seventh-eighth-ninth inning ladder has largely taken a back seat to managers playing matchups and using their would-be closers earlier in games. However, the pendulum may be swinging back.

“When you have a true closer like Duran, that’s the way you should set it up,” Thomson told The Athletic’s Matt Gelb in spring training. “And especially when we have the type of arms that we have. But if you give a guy a fifth- or sixth-inning role, and the seventh- and eighth-inning guys aren’t available, well they’re going to have to pitch in the seventh inning.”

Seems reasonable.

Before even getting to Banks, Thomson handled Painter just right in his debut by not hanging with him too long. He could have sat him down after 77 pitches over five stellar frames to be sure to keep his confidence intact. Instead, he did one better. He sent him back out for the sixth, let him get an out, and then pulled him when C.J. Abrams singled — allowing Painter to bask in the appreciation of an electric crowd at Citizens Bank Park as he departed.

As Painter handed the ball over, Thomson patted him on the chest and asked him if he had enjoyed his outing.

“He shook his head no,” Thomson said. “And then he figured out what I said and shook his head yes.”

Thomson reminded him to tip his cap to the fans when he walked off.

“He told me to do that,” Painter said. “I almost forgot, but I did it.”

Follow Christiaan DeFranco on X and Threads at @the_defranc.

From the Delaware County Daily Times: https://tinyurl.com/s5kfpspn

PHILADELPHIA — Different year, same Aaron Nola.

The Phillies’ talented right-hander, who has been dogged by home runs throughout his career, was burned twice by the long ball in his season debut Saturday, a 5-4 loss to the Texas Rangers.

Nola’s line wasn’t terrible: five hits, three earned runs, two walks and seven strikeouts over five frames. (Yes, seven Ks.) But two of the hits left the yard — the second with a runner on base.

Perhaps it’s unfair to get upset with Nola, 32, at this point. He’s 109-89 in his MLB career with a 3.83 ERA, one of the more effective pitchers in recent Phillies history. Homers are baked-in with him. But he’s under contract at $24.7 million per year through 2030, when he’ll turn 37.

Nola always seems to cough up at least one home run. Yet for whatever reason, he often seems to receive the most tepid support from Phillies hitters.

Over the past five seasons, he has ranked far below league average in run support, including just 3½ runs per start in 2025 — a full run below the league norm.

The Phillies didn’t even produce a base hit out of the infield until the ninth inning Saturday.

Still, Nola surrendered 18 homers last season — one of the negative-tier totals in the majors — and that was with missing two months with injuries. The previous two seasons, he gave up a whopping 30 and a league-worst 32.

And guess what he did in his season debut a year ago: He grooved two home runs. Just like Saturday.

Nola didn’t serve up any meatballs while somehow pitching for Team Italy in the 2026 World Baseball Classic. (Major League Baseball is trying to expand its reach, so he qualified for Italy because his great-grandparents emigrated from there nearly a century ago. Join the club.)

In two WBC starts over nine innings, Nola went 1-0, allowing seven hits, one run and one walk while striking out 10. No homers.

It took him about 5 minutes to give up a round-tripper with the Phillies on Saturday.

“Felt pretty good, body and arm felt good,” Nola said afterward. “I think the command in the second inning got out of whack there, but felt like it came back pretty well. I threw a lot of pitches. They worked the counts pretty good. Obviously, those two pitches that those guys hit for homers were tough.

“The strikeouts were good. … But I needed to go longer and deeper into the game.”

Nola’s velocity dropped from 93-94 mph in the WBC to 90-91 in his season opener and final spring-training outing.

Both home runs by the Rangers came with two outs. The first was to Corey Seager in the first inning on a four-seamer up in the zone. The other was in the third to Jake Burger on a knuckle curve — a second-consecutive curve. It followed an 0-2 base hit by Brandon Nimmo on cutter down the middle.

“I thought he was fine,” manager Rob Thomson said. “Two (bad) pitches, really. The fastball to Seager was right at the top of the zone … and he just beat him to the spot. (Nola) probably wants the curveball to Burger back, middle of the dish and hooked it down the line.

“I thought his command for a cold day was really, really good. Spun the ball well. I thought it was a good outing.”

The weather was just as brisk for Rangers lefty Jacob Latz, who started in place of right-hander Jacob deGram, a late scratch because of neck and shoulder soreness. Latz held the Phillies hitless through four innings while striking out three and walking one.

Also, Thomson didn’t mention the pitch to Nimmo.

Nola has defended his decision to pitch in the WBC following an injury-plagued 2025 as a “stress text” for this season. How did it help?

The Phillies’ offense was just as mediocre as Nola on Saturday. Phils hitters showed flashes of life but never fully delivered.

It was just one game — the second of 162 — so no reason to panic. If Wheeler comes back healthy, Nola will drop down to at least No. 3 in the rotation. The bullpen is promising, as are rookie center fielder Justin Crawford and free-agent right fielder Adolis Garcia. Third baseman Alec Bohm is off to a hot start in a contract season.

Hopefully this year is different for the Phillies in a good way, and there are signs that it will be. It’s way too soon to tell. Saturday just felt awfully familiar with Nola and this offense.

Follow Christiaan DeFranco on X and Threads at @the_defranc.

From the Delaware County Daily Times: https://tinyurl.com/4esw8uz2

PHILADELPHIA — Within two hours of losing out on the Bo Bichette sweepstakes to the NL East rival New York Mets, the Phillies re-signed catcher J.T. Realmuto on Friday.

Realmuto’s deal is for three years, $45 million plus $5 million in incentives.

Realmuto, a team leader who turns 35 in March, has been one of the best catchers in the sport. Outside of the shortened COVID year and a knee surgery in 2024, the durable Realmuto has averaged 135 games behind the plate since he became a starter with the Marlins in 2015.

He arrived in Philadelphia in 2019 and eventually became the right-hand man for current manager Rob Thomson. For $15 million per year, a fair price to pay in this market, it’s odd that negotiations became contentious between the catcher and the organization — which also happened in 2020, when the Phillies were initially hesitant to pay up.

Realmuto has consistently ranked above the 22% league average for throwing out runners trying to steal. In 2019, he gunned down an astounding 47%.

Perhaps most importantly, he has been highly trusted by Philadelphia’s top-tier pitching staff.

Realmuto has started every one of the Phillies’ postseason games from 2022-25, hitting .232 with seven home runs and a .745 OPS. He was 6-for-17 (.353) with a pair of doubles, a triple and a homer in the 2025 National League Division Series.

In the 2022 NLDS, he became the first catcher with a postseason inside-the-park home run.

The Phillies appeared to be the frontrunner to sign Bo Bichette, 27, a versatile infielder who has won two Gold Gloves at shortstop and hit .300 or better four times in his Major League career. But Bichette, the son of former MLB All-Star outfielder Dante Bichette, signed a three-year, $127 million contract with the Mets that notably includes opt-outs after year one and two.

Bo Bichette hit .311 with 18 homers, 94 RBIs, 78 runs, and an OPS of .840 with 94 strikeouts in 139 games with the Toronto Blue Jays last year.

He hit .348 with a homer and six RBIs in November’s riveting World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

As a right-handed contact hitter, Bichette would have been a huge addition to an all-or-nothing Phillies lineup that often either homers or strikes out. He has a close relationship with Don Mattingly, whom the Phillies recently hired as bench coach after he served in the same role in Toronto, but the Phillies’ front office failed to close a deal.

Follow Christiaan DeFranco on X at @the_defranc for the latest updates.

From the Delaware County Daily Times: https://tinyurl.com/3wkdkumc

PHILADELPHIA — The Phillies added a dose of right-handed power and postseason pedigree Monday, signing outfielder Adolis García to a one-year, $10 million contract as the club continues to retool its roster with October in mind.

García, who turns 33 in March, gives the Phils a right-handed hitter with a track record of thunderous power — and also a history of swing-and-miss — as they reshape an outfield that lagged behind their pitching and star-studded infield core.

García is expected to take over in right field for Nick Castellanos, whom the Phillies plan to either trade or release this offseason to save money.

It wasn’t long ago that García looked like one of the sport’s most impactful two-way corner outfielders. He was the ALCS MVP and a centerpiece of the Texas Rangers’ 2023 World Series championship, punctuating that October run with eight postseason homers, a 1.108 OPS and a single-postseason record 22 RBIs. He also hit a walk-off homer in Game 1 of the World Series.

In the regular season that year, García posted career highs with 39 home runs, 107 RBIs and an .836 OPS while earning his second All-Star nod and a Gold Glove.

Since then, his production has declined.

García’s OPS dropped below .700 in both 2024 and 2025. The Rangers elected not to tender him last November rather than carry him into what would have been his final year of arbitration. (Not tendering a player means letting him walk when he is still under team control.)

Last season, García hit .227 with 19 homers, 75 RBIs and a .665 OPS — numbers that reflect both the volatility and the power that still lurk in his profile. In his six full seasons in the majors (after playing in Japan), he has struck out 175 times or more in five of them.

The Phils are banking on the power indicators. García still hits the ball hard when he connects — including a 92.1 mph average exit velocity — but his approach can veer toward boom-or-bust. His chase rate spiked last season, and his contact metrics trended in the wrong direction, a familiar trade-off for some hitters who live on major damage.

The Phillies already have a bunch of feast-or-famine hitters who chase.

Even if García’s bat doesn’t fully return to its 2023 form, he brings a defensive floor the Phillies need in right field, despite Castellanos’ improvement. After a rough defensive season in 2024, García rebounded with plus marks in 2025, including 16 defensive runs saved in the outfield.

The Phils would love to re-sign center fielder Harrison Bader, who was a sparkplug late last season after his acquisition at the trade deadline, but he may command too high a price on the open market.

Meanwhile, Philly has been eager to turn the page from Castellanos in right.

Castellanos, owed $20 million in the final year of his contract, is widely expected to be traded or released before spring training. Though he has had stretches of productivity here, the Phillies have made clear, through both their shopping of Castellanos and this signing, that they want more athleticism, more run prevention, and a right-field fit that better complements the rest of a roster built to win in October.

In García, they’re getting a player who has thrived on the postseason stage — and who now arrives with something to prove.

—

Follow Christiaan DeFranco on X at @the_defranc for the latest updates.

From The Reporter: https://tinyurl.com/3r967zzj

PHILADELPHIA — Nobody out in the ninth, down by one after a two-run double by Nick Castellanos — with a dramatic replay review upholding his safe call at second — and the Phillies sent lefty Bryson Stott to the plate… to bunt.

Not to try for an RBI base hit or even a grounder to the right side that moves the runner. But a sacrifice bunt toward third.

Despite the Phils’ bats finally waking up and having the Dodgers on the ropes, manager Rob Thomson said he never considered letting Stott swing away with a man already in scoring position.

“I wanted to play for the tie,” Thomson said. “I liked where our bullpen was compared to theirs. We play for the tie at home.”

Always?

The Dodgers (who, by the way, have been successfully supplementing their pen with an infusion of starters this postseason) were expecting the sac bunt. They put on the wheel play, which sent shortstop Mookie Betts charging to cover third while third baseman Max Muncy fielded the ball and fired it to him, easily tagging out a lumbering Castellanos trying to advance.

So not only did the Phils give away an out, they also lost their lead baserunner.

“Mookie did a great job of disguising the wheel play,” Thomson said. “We teach our guys that if you see the wheel, just pull it back and slash because you’ve got all kinds of room in the middle. But Mookie broke so late that it was tough for Stotty to pick it up.”

Ah, well… In that case, c’est la vie. Such is life, right?

The Phils still had two outs left to tie the game, but that meek play took the wind out of the inning. A hobbled Harrison Bader drilled a pinch-hit single to left to put men on first and second, but Max Kepler grounded into a fielder’s choice and Trea Turner grounded out to end it.

It was a 4-3 loss Monday night, and suddenly the Phillies were down 0-2 in the NLDS heading to L.A.

“I was given the bunt sign, so I’m going to get the bunt down,” Stott said. “It was assigned.”

When asked about Thomson’s comments regarding the wheel play, Stott was taken aback: “Obviously with a guy on second, Freddie’s going to be 5 feet away from me,” he said, referencing Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman. “So you’re kind of peeking at the third baseman and going from there. Mookie was (breaking) late, and you just get the bunt down and go from there.”

Stott isn’t to blame and doesn’t have the gravitas to override his manager. He did what he was told and laid down a solid bunt. The blame was on Thomson, who (a) wasn’t aggressive and (b) hadn’t communicated well enough to have Stott fully prepared for the situation — or, for that matter, Castellanos, a subpar baserunner who could have just stayed at second when the play was clearly busted.

A Dodgers pitching change beforehand gave Thomson ample time to get everyone on the same page, but he didn’t. He did nothing. He was checked-out and passive, like his mentor Joe Torre in his waning years with the Yankees.

One aspect of the game Thomson didn’t mismanage was southpaw starter Jesús Luzardo, who arguably outdueled Los Angeles’ Blake Snell, who carried a no-hitter into the fifth.

“He was really fantastic,” Thomson said of Luzardo. “He was about 70% strikes. The slider was good, the changeup was good, the fastball had life. He battled and then just rolled from there.”

Luzardo allowed two runs on three hits over six-plus frames, striking out five and walking just one. The runs didn’t cross until he was pulled in the seventh after recording 17 consecutive outs.

“I was just focusing on locating certain pitches, especially early in counts and getting ahead instead of falling behind,” Luzardo said.

The pitching wasn’t the problem. It was late managerial decisions and, even worse, the failure of the Phillies’ biggest bats (once again).

Trea Turner, Kyle Schwarber, Bryce Harper, Alec Bohm, J.T. Realmuto and Nick Castellanos — the Phils’ top six hitters — are making a combined $123.2 million this year. That’s more than 42% of the team’s $290.3 million payroll, which includes starting pitching and the back end of the bullpen.

Those six players were 4-for-22 with seven strikeouts. This after going 3-for-19 in Game 1.

Talk about spending “stupid money.”

Principal owner John Middleton’s infamous quote from seven years ago, before the team signed Harper, has been taken out of context plenty. In fact, it’s admirable that he and the Phillies spend big and aim to win big, but this collection of bats just isn’t getting it done.

“I think those guys are trying to do a little too much right now,” Thomson said. “Instead of just being themselves and looking for base hits and the power will come.”

By the way, what would Thomson have done if Castellanos hadn’t stretched that single into a double?

Even though Castellanos — who, with a year left on his deal, may have played his last game as a Phillie at Citizens Bank Park — slid in safely, it wasn’t a smart baserunning play, but at least he was being aggressive. Thomson following up with a bunt call was the opposite of aggressive.

But remember, Thomson isn’t playing to win. He’s playing for a tie.

—

Follow Christiaan DeFranco on X at @the_defranc.

From The Reporter: https://tinyurl.com/vux9ynr4

PHILADELPHIA — With another postseason came more October struggles for the Phillies’ biggest bats.

The Phils’ top hitters disappeared along with a three-run lead in Saturday night’s 5-3 loss to the Dodgers in Game 1 of the National League Divisional Series at Citizens Bank Park.

One through four in the Philadelphia lineup — Trea Turner, Kyle Schwarber, Bryce Harper and Alec Bohm — were a combined 1-for-13 with a single, three walks and six strikeouts.

Overall, the Phillies produced just five hits while fanning a dozen times.

It was a familiar theme. A year ago, the same quartet was 11-for-56 (.196) when the Phils got bounced in four games by the Mets.

The year before, in games 6 and 7 of the NLCS against Arizona — and adding Nick Castellanos to the mix — the group was 4-for-35 as a trip to the World Series slipped away.

After putting up three runs in the second inning Saturday, Phillies bats swooned as Shohei Ohtani settled into a groove. He piled up nine strikeouts over six frames before Tyler Glasnow, Alex Vesia and Roki Sasaki took over the rest of the way.

“I thought Ohtani threw the ball really well, obviously the heater, curveball, split,” Harper said. “We jumped on him and then we kind of laid low for a bit. We weren’t able to do more than that.

“We were chasing a little bit … and I thought we missed a lot of pitches over the plate against him tonight, and that just can’t happen.”

The Phils failed to deliver on two-out scoring opportunities and finished 1-for-7 with runners in scoring position. It’s an example of why many fans — haunted by Octobers past — were hesitant to fully jump aboard all summer, even as Schwarber bombed 56 home runs and the team charged ahead to 96 wins and the second-best record in the majors, capturing the NL East by 13 games.

“He really pitched them well,” Phillies manager Rob Thomson said of Ohtani’s approach to his top hitters. “A lot of offspeed, dotted his fastball. … So tip your cap and move on. It’s a tough loss, but we’ve got to shake it off and come out here Monday and get after it again.”

Sure, this was only one game, but it’s only a best-of-five series. And the Phillies have lost four of their last five playoff games at home.

Phillies lefty Cristopher Sanchez, displaying strong command a devastating changeup, lasted 5 2/3, giving up four hits and a pair of earned runs while striking out eight and walking two.

Questions may linger about Thomson’s bullpen management, particularly about sending 40-year-old David Robertson back out for the seventh — and the subsequent three-run shot Matt Strahm gave up to Teoscar Hernández was a crushing blow that flipped the game — but Phillies hitters still had nine outs to do something about it.

It didn’t help that Harrison Bader, the Phils’ trade-deadline sparkplug in center field, had to exit after suffering a groin injury.

“This is never going to be easy,” Schwarber said. “You’re facing the best of the best out here. (Ohtani) does a really good job of mixing up his pitches. I feel like it’s all quality pitches. There’s not a below-average pitch. I feel like they’re all above average. …. Glasgow comes out of the pen, got some traffic on base and did a good job. And then obviously Sasaki comes in there at the end and was making some quality pitches.

“It’s up to us to be able to make the adjustments and go out there and do everything possible to put ourselves in a good position. … It’s up to us to go out there and keep having quality at-bats and find a way to get a win.”

—

Follow Christiaan DeFranco on X at @the_defranc.