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Phillies Need Depth After Outfielder Johan Rojas Suspended

Originally posted on Last Word On Sports | By Ben Rosen | Last updated Mar 16, 2026 8:15 PM ET

Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Johan Rojas has been suspended for 80 games because of a positive PED test. Rojas is the third Phillies player to receive a PED suspension in the past year. Current free agent and former Phillies player Max Kepler is also suspended. Additionally last season José Alvarado sat out 80 games because of a PED violation as well. Rojas is ineligible to play in the postseason should the Phillies get there. It remains to be seen what role Rojas will play in the Phillies organization when he is eligible to return from the suspension. Some 40-man roster and possibly 26-man roster decisions will need to be made by the Phillies at that time. This does open up a spot on the Phillies 40-man roster.

Rojas came into spring training with a lot at stake entering his final minor league option year. In the major leagues last season Rojas had a .224/.280/.289 line with one home run and 18 RBI in 71 games. Rojas recorded a 58 wRC+ with a .289 BABIP as well as a 0.33 BB/K rate. Meanwhile Rojas has a .167/.259/.208 line with no home runs and two RBI in 10 spring training games this season. Rojas has a 26 wRC+ and a .250 BABIP along with a 0.38 BB/K rate this spring. It is not out of the realm of possibilities that Rojas has played his last game in a Phillies uniform. A change of scenery will be complicated now though. Rojas is set to be out of minor league options after this season.

Phillies Outfielder Suspended

Opening Day Roster Implications

Dylan Moore is now the clear favorite to win the Phillies open bench spot. Moore brings extensive defensive versatility and is also a right-handed batter. Bryan De La Cruz is another candidate for the job. Moore and De La Cruz both have opt outs in their contracts. However, Moore could invoke his opt out before the start of the regular season whereas De La Cruz has an opt out that does not come into play until later in the season. Both are non-roster invitees and would need to be added to the Phillies 40-man roster. The Phillies could also bring in someone from outside of the organization to fill that spot. Justin Crawford will be added to the Phillies 40-man roster before the season starts as well.

Positional Depth Necessary

Pedro León, who was optioned to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on March 15, is the lone healthy outfielder on the Phillies 40-man roster who will be starting the season in the minor leagues as things currently stand. Garrett Stubbs is going to get work in the outfield and could help provide depth. León has center field experience whereas Stubbs does not. Either way the Phillies will need to add at least one outfielder with minor league options available who can play center field soon. The Phillies need to ensure that León is not the first call up if an outfield injury were to occur. León has a .100/.143/.100 line with a -33 wRC+ in seven career major league games. This spring León recorded a .231/.355/.308 line with a 83 wRC+ in 16 games. Better options are out there.

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

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