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Phillies’ Rob Thomson Reveals Center Field Plans

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Mike Ostrowski | Last updated May 7, 2025 7:20 PM ET

Johan Rojas was doing rather well as an everyday center fielder for the Phillies, raising his average to .302 and making some impressive catches.

But now that Brandon Marsh is back from injury, it sounds like he'll be splitting duties.

According to NBC Sports Philadelphia's Corey Seidman, Phillies manager Rob Thomson plans to start them a few times each in the next week.

"They're both playing well, both swinging the bat well," Thomson said. "I don't want either one of them to get rusty."

Marsh returned from the IL Saturday and has been 3-for-7 with a double and a walk since. Before that, he was struggling mightily at the plate, batting .095 and recording 31 straight outs without a hit.

Tuesday night's game against the Tampa Bay Rays was the first of six straight against a right-handed starting pitcher. Rojas has significantly better stats against lefties, while the reverse has been true - at least before this season - with Marsh.

Thomson had a meeting with both players Tuesday to explain their upcoming schedule.

"It's going to be back and forth a bit and then towards the end of this nine-day run, there's a back-to-back for Rojas and then a back-to-back for Marsh," Thomson said.

After Marsh started in center field Tuesday night, Rojas is heading back out there for the second game of the series. Based on Thomson's comments, the overall schedule will go Marsh, Rojas, Marsh, Rojas, Marsh, Rojas, Rojas, Marsh, Marsh, wrapping up at home next Wednesday against the St. Louis Cardinals.

That would put Rojas up against lefty Matthew Liberatore on Monday, then rest him before facing another one, Pittsburgh Pirates' Andrew Heaney, next Friday.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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