For much of the 2025 MLB season, the Philadelphia Phillies have kept their roster more or less intact, despite some struggles from a collection of their players. Practically the only time the Phillies have made roster moves, it usually came as a result of an injury or a personal matter.
However, over the past couple of weeks, Philadelphia has begun to show that they mean business with respect to their winning aspirations this season as they first designated reliever José Ruiz for assignment on June 1 due to his poor performance. That was followed promptly by the DFA of reliever Carlos Hernández for the very same reason just over a week later as the patience wore thin.
With the Phillies looking to field the best team possible going forward, which other players currently on their 26-man roster will not likely make it past the end of June?
These two Phillies might be the next to go after Carlos Hernández DFA
Rafael Marchán, C
During spring training, former top catching prospect Rafael Marchán managed to finally do the unthinkable by usurping long-time fan favorite Garrett Stubbs for the backup catcher role for the Phillies. Many believed that Marchán would be able to provide much more offensive potential compared to Stubbs, given the production he has shown over the past couple of years.
However, Marchán has failed for the most part to run away with the role, as he has struggled mightily so far in his limited played time with the Phillies in 2025. In 17 total games, the 26-year-old has managed an abysmal .146 average and .530 OPS, with four runs scored, just two extra-base hits including one home run and five RBIs.
For comparison, Stubbs has quietly racked up a solid .267 average and .765 OPS, with 27 runs scored, six doubles, four home runs and 29 RBIs in 39 games played with the Phillies’ Triple-A affiliate Lehigh Valley IronPigs so far this year, as he patiently awaits his opportunity to rejoin the big league club.
As much as the Phillies should give some leeway to a developing young catcher in the majors in Marchán, the competition has been so intense in the National League playoff race thus far that Philadelphia probably can’t afford waiting any longer. So instead of piling the workload onto an aging J.T. Realmuto due to the lack of an offensive threat from their backup catcher, it may be time to move on from Marchán and give Stubbs a chance once again.
Weston Wilson, UTL
For Weston Wilson, it seems like a distant memory since his breakout season with Philadelphia last year. Becoming a key player off the bench for the Phillies during the latter half of 2024, Wilson was thought to be a key piece of the puzzle with the team this season.
Unfortunately, it has been a disastrous season so far for the 30-year-old utility man. After starting the season on the IL as a result of an oblique injury during spring training, Wilson had been a shell of his former self. He has posted a dismal .171/.293/.257/.550 slash line, along with just three runs scored, one home run and four RBIs across 19 total games played primarily as a left fielder.
On the other hand, the recently promoted Phillies top prospect Otto Kemp has been holding his own so far in his brief MLB debut showing, compiling a .250 average and .600 OPS, with two runs scored, one double and two RBIs in seven games. More significantly, Kemp had been receiving the majority of the playing time compared to his counterparts in Wilson and Edmundo Sosa in recent games.
As a result, with Wilson struggling to provide any valuable contributions to the Phillies, it could serve him better by optioning him down to the minors where he can attempt to rediscover his game. At the same time, with Kemp having already taken reps in left field with Lehigh Valley this season, he could even be the suitable replacement for Wilson for the time being as Wilson works things out.