The Philadelphia Phillies’ Opening Day roster features reigning NL MVP Bryce Harper, Cy Young runner-up Zack Wheeler, and newcomers Kyle Schwarber, Nick Castellanos, and top prospect Bryson Stott
Before the Major League Baseball lockout derailed everything, the Philadelphia Phillies‘ original schedule for the 2022 season gave them the day off on April 8.
When the lockout finally ended in March, after 99 days, the league decided that they would simply begin the schedule in medias res and reschedule the first two series. So while most of the rest of the league will play their first of 162 on Thursday, Phillies fans have to wait until Friday to finally see one of the most exciting teams their front office has constructed in years.
In the meantime, they released the official roster on Tuesday afternoon:
Catchers: J.T. Realmuto, Garrett Stubbs
Infield: Rhys Hoskins, Jean Segura, Didi Gregorius, Bryson Stott, Alec Bohm, Johan Camargo
Outfield: Bryce Harper, Matt Vierling, Mickey Moniak, Kyle Schwarber, Nick Castellanos
Starting rotation: Aaron Nola, Kyle Gibson, Zach Eflin, Ranger Suárez, Zack Wheeler
Bullpen: Corey Knebel, Jeurys Familia, Brad Hand, José Alvarado, Seranthony Domínguez, Connor Brogdon, Damon Jones, Bailey Falter, Christopher Sánchez, Nick Nelson
The Phillies also have several players starting the season on the Injured List:
Sam Coonrod – 10-Day IL
Kent Emanuel – 60-Day IL
Odúbel Herrera – 10-Day IL
JoJo Romero – 60-Day IL
Ryan Sherriff – Day-to-day
2022 will be the 140th season in Phillies history, but with Schwarber and Castellanos signing huge deals and Stott set to make a thrilling (and possibly historic) debut, this team feels unique and poised for greatness.
Here’s to 162 games of doing the impossible, and some postseason baseball after that.