Philadelphia Phillies Make Move With 27-Year-Old Pitcher

The Philadelphia Phillies recalled 27-year-old right-hander Max Lazar from Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Sunday, adding a familiar arm to a bullpen that needed a reset, via the MLB transaction log.

Lazar takes the roster spot of Orion Kerkering, who was optioned after a rough stretch, including a September ERA of 18.69. The move gives Philadelphia a fresh middle-inning option as the club works through the final stretch of the regular season.

Lazar, born June 3, 1999, in Coral Springs, Florida, is listed at 6-foot-1 and 200 pounds. He throws right-handed and wears No. 60.

Drafted by Milwaukee in the 11th round in 2017, he signed with Philadelphia as a minor-league free agent in December 2023 and made his MLB debut on Aug. 10, 2024.

This is not his first look in 2026. Lazar opened the year on the injured list with a left oblique strain, spent time on the 60-day IL, and was activated in late May before being optioned.

He was recalled in mid-June when Brad Keller went on the IL with forearm tendinitis, then optioned again after a short stint. He returned in early July and was sent back down later that month.

Sunday’s call-up is his latest shuttle trip between Citizens Bank Park and Coca-Cola Park.

In six major-league appearances this season, Lazar has posted a 5.63 ERA and 1.38 WHIP over eight innings, with five strikeouts and three walks.

His career line with Philadelphia is 1-1 with a 4.86 ERA, 40 strikeouts, and one save in 63 innings across 53 games. Last year he appeared in 36 games and finished with a 4.79 ERA in 41 1/3 innings.

At Triple-A this season he has been more serviceable, working in a 4.06 ERA range over 31 games according to recent reports, after earlier stretches that included a 4.19 ERA and 1.41 WHIP in midsummer.

He is expected to work in low- to medium-leverage spots rather than late innings.

The Phillies have used Lazar as a depth piece: a right-hander who can eat innings when starters come out early or when the bullpen is taxed. Manager Don Mattingly’s staff has leaned on that profile before, especially when injuries or slumps hit the relief corps.

Whether Lazar sticks this time depends on results. A small sample and a mid-5 ERA in the majors this year leave little margin. If he can throw strikes and keep the ball in the park, he can help a bullpen that has been uneven. If not, another option will follow the same path he just took north.

For now, the 27-year-old is back in Philadelphia, ready for another chance in the middle innings.