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Phillies Interesting Bullpen Alignment

Originally posted on Last Word On Sports | By Ben Rosen | Last updated Mar 22, 2026 5:46 PM ET

The Philadelphia Phillies have an interesting bullpen alignment on their Opening Day roster that has been finalized. Matt Gelb of The Athletic first reported the Phillies initial 26-man roster. Some notable changes compared to a projected Opening Day roster for the 2026 Phillies. Additionally at least for the time being the Phillies will carry four left-handed pitchers in their bullpen. That group includes José Alvarado and Tanner Banks who entered spring training as locks to make the team. Meanwhile Kyle Backhus and Tim Mayza have won open bullpen spots. Mayza entered spring training as a non-roster invitee while Backhus is already on the Phillies 40-man roster. The Phillies 40-man roster is probably going to see some shuffling in the coming days.

According to Gelb, the Phillies will have pitchers Zack Wheeler, Orion Kerkering and Max Lazar starting the season on the 15-day injured list. Wheeler and Kerkering should be able to return before the end of April leading to some eventual decisions. Lazar will probably be optioned to Triple-A Lehigh Valley when he is ready to be activated from the injured list. As part of finalizing their Opening Day roster the Phillies announced that they returned Rule 5 Draft pick Zach McCambley to the Miami Marlins. McCambley recorded a 1.23 ERA and a 1.50 WHIP with a 0.67 K/BB rate in eight spring training outings. Zach Pop got the other open bullpen spot. With Kerkering being injured it created a third open bullpen spot.

Phillies Interesting Bullpen Alignment

Eventual Injured List Return Decisions

This bullpen alignment will probably not last long. When Wheeler comes back Taijuan Walker will move to the bullpen. Kerkering will be in the bullpen when he comes back. Early on in spring training it looked like the Phillies could carry two left-handed relief pitchers with the possibility of a third left-handed relief pitcher depending on how things went. Backhus recorded a 0.00 ERA and a 0.83 WHIP along with a 6.00 K/BB rate in six outings. While Backhus has multiple minor league option years available it was going to be hard to leave him off the 26-man roster. Mazya and Pop are probably the odd ones out. It does not make sense to carry four left-handed relief pitchers for an extended period of time.

Minor League Options Could Play A Role In Those Moves

It is surprising to see them carry Mayza instead of McCambley or Seth Johnson. Keeping McCambley would have delayed a decision given his Rule 5 status that prevents him from being able to be optioned to the minor leagues. Furthermore Mayza and Pop have no minor league options available. That could lead to Backhus being optioned when Kerkering or Wheeler returns. Backhus has performed well enough that he should be given a longer look. Johnson has minor league options which may be part of why the Phillies already sent him to Triple-A Lehigh Valley. Meanwhile Lazar has two minor league option years available and was probably not going to be on the 26-man roster regardless of the injury.

This article first appeared on Last Word On Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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