Rejoice Phillies fans, for Opening Day has finally arrived
Following one of the more active offseasons in recent history, the Phillies are ready to take advantage of a young core and a new coaching staff. Offseason additions of Jake Arrieta, Tommy Hunter, Carlos Santana, Pat Neshek, and manager Gabe Kapler has the team feeling bold as they open the season in Atlanta.
Starting the year on the disabled list will be pitchers Tommy Hunter, Jerad Eickhoff, and Mark Leiter Jr. Free agent addition Jake Arrieta will begin the season in Single-A Clearwater after missing most of spring training without a contract. Don’t worry; Arrieta is scheduled to make his first start on April 8 after catching up on his spring training program.
Here’s your 2018 Philadelphia Phillies Opening Day 25-man roster:
Catchers (2): Jorge Alfaro and Andrew Knapp.
Infielders (6): Carlos Santana, Cesar Hernandez, Maikel Franco, Scott Kingery, Pedro Florimon and J.P. Crawford
Outfielders (4): Rhys Hoskins, Odubel Herrera, Aaron Altherr and Nick Williams
Rotation (4): Aaron Nola, Nick Pivetta, Vince Velasquez and Ben Lively
The way the Phillies schedule works they will not need a fifth starter with a travel day on Easter falling on the fifth day of the rotation. The off-day lines up perfectly for Arrieta to join the rotation on the eighth in the series finale against Miami, in Philadelphia.
Bullpen (9): Hector Neris, Luis Garcia, Pat Neshek, Adam Morgan, Hoby Milner, Drew Hutchison, Edubray Ramos, Jake Thompson and Victor Arano
Morgan and Milner are the lone southpaws on the club, and both are looking to carry over their success from last season into this year. Once Arrieta returns, expect Thompson to be optioned back to Lehigh Valley where the former top pitching prospect can continue his development as a bullpen arm.
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Right field appers to be a platoon with Aaron Altherr and Nick Williams splitting time. However, manager Gabe Kapler will take advantage of his players’ versatility and find ways to get both on the field when warranted.