The World Baseball Classic is an event that has grown dramatically in stature and the presence of stars like Aaron Judge, Bryce Harper, Cal Raleigh and Paul Skenes on Team USA is testimony as to how important it has become to many of the game’s top players.
Cristopher Sanchez would have been in play for up to four innings on Friday night for the Dominican Republic against Nicaragua in its first game of the World Baseball Classic.
The Philadelphia Phillies are creating versatility defensively by having Garrett Stubbs work out at first base, third base and left field. Phillies manager Rob Thomson told reporters this information following a March 6 spring training game.
Keep track of all of the latest updates pertaining to Phillies players participating in the 2026 World Baseball Classic: March 6: Where Harper, Schwarber are hitting in Team USA’s lineup Team USA will open Pool B play on Friday, March 6 against Brazil in Houston.
Bryce Harper certainly has a lot on his hands this month alone. Right now, he is playing for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic and for the Philadelphia Phillies.
As Spring Training opens for 2026, all 30 teams have high hopes and big questions. These are the storylines to follow for each team heading into Opening Day.
There is one thing I would suggest Phillies fans, myself included, do more of this year. Zoom out. Here in Philly, we can be a bit myopic when it comes to our sports teams.
When Justin Crawford started out Grapefruit League games with a few strong games, there was a distinct sentiment that the rookie should not only be in the team’s starting lineup, but he should be batting at the very top of it from day one.
Between game-planning with pitchers, going over video and scouting reports on hitters and trying to maintain his own timing at the plate, J.T. Realmuto is a busy man.
Two of the Phillies' next four Grapefruit League games will be started by pitchers who won't be on the Opening Day roster but could find themselves in a position to contribute at some point in 2026.
As the Phillies faced the Pirates in Bradenton on Friday, their likely Opening Day starter, Cristopher Sanchez, will be making his first start in Game 1 of the World Baseball Classic for the Dominican Republic at 7 p.m.
The 2026 MLB season is right around the corner, and it is never too early to start thinking about how it might unfold. Seemingly, every year, we have a decent handle on who should contend and who is likely to struggle, which makes looking ahead to the trade deadline inevitable.
Otto Kemp made his eighth start of the spring on Friday, taking the one-hour bus ride from Clearwater to Bradenton as the Phillies faced the Pirates. Second on the team to Justin Crawford in Grapefruit League plate appearances entering the day, Kemp has spent the bulk of his time this spring in left field.
Bryce Harper has been called many different names. From “overrated” and “hothead” to “The Chosen One,” he’s no stranger to insults and accolades alike.
Aaron Nola got off to bad starts over the previous two seasons. While it didn’t look bad from a results standpoint in 2024, he had a FIP of 4.49 over the first month of the season and carried a strikeout rate that would’ve been his lowest since 2015 over a full season.
Thursday’s Phillies game stood out most for being a successful three-inning spring training debut for Jesus Luzardo, but also because of J.T. Realmuto’s
Wednesday was the second spring start for Aaron Nola and the 2026 Grapefruit League debut of Phillies closer Jhoan Duran, but it was also another scoreless outing for bullpen hopeful Kyle Backhus, the submarining left-handed reliever acquired from the Arizona Diamondbacks in mid-December for minor-league outfielder Avery Owusu-Asiedu.
The Philadelphia Phillies are in a precarious position this coming season. After the loss of Ranger Suarez to free agency, the organization is looking for a massive contribution from top pitching prospect Andrew Painter this spring.
Entering the 2026 campaign, Johan Rojas had a challenge on his hands to keep his spot on the Philadelphia Phillies roster for Opening Day. The 25-year-old center fielder struggled to match the levels of performance he showed in his outstanding rookie campaign two years back.
Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Johan Rojas was competing for a roster spot this spring and was set to play for the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic.
MLB Pipeline has released their initial 2026 ranking of the Philadelphia Phillies Top 30 prospects. Some of these players could play a role for the 2026 Phillies.
Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Andrew Painter has yet to pitch in an MLB game, but he's already experienced adversity. The 2021 No. 13 overall pick missed the minor-league campaign in 2023 due to Tommy John surgery and only played in the Arizona Fall League the following year.
The Philadelphia Phillies have one of the most formidable starting rotations in the MLB, and J.T. Realmuto is a key part of their success. Therefore, it was imperative for the Phillies to re-sign the veteran catcher despite his diminishing skills.
The Phillies have signed right-hander Connor Gillispie to a minor league deal, per multiple sources. Steve Potter of PhilliesBaseballFan.com was first on the deal last week.
The Philadelphia Phillies may have received encouraging news on ace Zack Wheeler, who threw his first bullpen session Thursday since undergoing thoracic outlet decompression surgery on his right shoulder in September. Wheeler told MLB.com’s Todd Zolecki afterward, “I felt good."
After team president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski labeled him “not elite” this offseason, Philadelphia Phillies star Bryce Harper didn’t dwell on it — he mapped out exactly how he plans to prove otherwise.