Which Philadelphia Phillies players should not be on their playoff roster in October? The Phillies clinched their fourth consecutive postseason appearance on Sept. 13 following the San Francisco Giants’ loss to the Milwaukee Brewers. They won the National League East division for a second straight season with their victory on Sept. 16 versus the Los Angeles Dodgers.
There are some Phillies players who should not make the 2025 postseason roster. The decisions should be based upon their role on the team and their lack of production.
3 Phillies who should not be on the postseason roster in October
Garrett Stubbs
The Phillies decided to promote backup catcher Garrett Stubbs at the start of September when rosters expanded. Their catchers, J.T. Realmuto and Rafael Marchán, were both healthy, making the Stubbs addition unnecessary.
There were other position players with the Lehigh Valley IronPigs in Triple-A who the Phillies could have promoted who would have contributed more such as Otto Kemp, Johan Rojas or top outfield prospect Justin Crawford. Crawford may have been relegated to becoming a part of Phillies manager Rob Thomson’s outfield rotation but he offers more upside than Stubbs.
Stubbs should not be on the Phillies roster in October unless Realmuto or Marchán get injured and need to go on the IL. The team may value Stubbs’ presence in the dugout and clubhouse but the franchise has other positional players who can contribute more. Marchán’s playing time is limited as the backup catcher but he is a better option than Stubbs in the role.
If Stubbs makes the Phillies' postseason roster for any other reason than an injury to one of their other two catchers, the organization’s decision to do so is based purely on sentiment due to the good vibes he provides to the club. That is not good enough of a reason to put him on the playoff roster.
Taijuan Walker
Taijuan Walker did not make the Phillies' playoff roster in 2024. Thomson has used him in both the bullpen and as a starting pitcher this year. The right-hander regained a spot in the rotation following the season-ending injury to Zack Wheeler.
What puts Walker getting a spot on the postseason roster in jeopardy is the addition of pitcher Walker Buehler. Buehler, who did not do as well as expected with the Boston Red Sox, can pitch as well as Walker. The former Dodgers pitcher did well in his first start with the Phillies.
Walker is having a better season than last year. His 4.17 ERA is around his 4.38 ERA he finished with in 2023. However, if Buehler continues to pitch well before the end of the regular season, that makes Walker’s chances of making the postseason roster more unlikely.
It seems like Buehler has the advantage over Walker for a postseason spot. Why would the Phillies sign Buehler just to have him not make the roster in October if he is healthy and pitching as well as Walker or better?
Jordan Romano
Jordan Romano has had a season to forget with the Phillies. The reliever has been unable to pitch consistently. His spot on the postseason roster should have already been in doubt before the organization placed him on the IL at the end of August with right middle finger inflammation.
Romano had a 20.77 ERA in August due to three bad outings in which he allowed a total of 10 earned runs in two innings. The 32-year-old had several games this season in which he allowed multiple runs in an inning or less.
His injury may keep him out longer than expected due to a nerve issue that has developed. No injury should be celebrated by a fan base no matter how poorly a player is playing at times.
However, Romano’s absence has created an opportunity for relievers Lou Trivino, Tim Mayza and Max Lazar to make a good impression. At least one of the three pitchers may make Philadelphia’s playoff roster.
If Romano is healthy enough to pitch by the start of the playoffs, the Phillies need to consider his struggles this year in determining whether he should be on their roster. He has pitched too many games this year in which he has surrendered multiple runs. The team would be better off with Trivino, Mayza or Lazar on their postseason roster in place of a healthy Romano.