The Philadelphia Phillies bullpen could be a little shorthanded on Opening Day after it was revealed that All-Star left-handed reliever Matt Strahm underwent an MRI recently after being diagnosed with an impingement in his left shoulder. While the results of Strahm's MRI came back clean, according to MLB.com's Todd Zolecki, it's looking increasingly likely the Phillies could be without one of their top veteran arms when spring training camp ends in just under two weeks.
While team officials have remained quiet on whether Strahm will begin the 2025 season on the injured list, it's clear that losing him would immediately test a Phillies bullpen that notably lost a couple of key arms this winter via free agency. Even with Strahm sidelined, the trio of Orion Kerkering, José Alvarado and newcomer Jordan Romano are all expected to rotate in the closer's role this year. But it's the other bullpen arms, such as Tanner Banks, José Ruiz and Joe Ross, who are likely to see higher workloads if Strahm isn't ready for the start of the season.
The loss of Strahm also means that the Phillies could be forced to rely on its bullpen depth right away. But in a Phillies camp that's not lacking in minor league pitchers with previous MLB experience, it's starting to look like a trio of offseason additions currently have the inside track on winning Strahm's bullpen spot to begin the season.
3 unexpected Phillies candidates in line for Matt Strahm's Opening Day bullpen spot
Losing a pitcher like Strahm to open the season would certainly test a bullpen that comes into the 2025 season with plenty of question marks, especially after losing closers Jeff Hoffman and Carlos Estévez in free agency. Obviously uninspired by the lengthy list of depth options who called the Phillies bullpen home at times last season, the Phillies front office was notably active this winter by signing and acquiring pitchers in order to improve the depth.
Now faced with the possibility that Strahm could miss Opening Day, a few of those minor league bullpen additions could become a major factor in whether the Phillies can get off to another hot start this season.
John McMillon, RHP
Claimed off waivers from the Miami Marlins at the start of November, right-hander John McMillion has had a small track record of success in short stints with the Kansas City Royals and Marlins over the last two seasons. McMillion was starting to carve out a roll with the Marlins last year before suffering a September shoulder injury that ended his season. When healthy last year, McMillion was solid in his 10 MLB appearances with the Marlins, putting together a 2-1 record with a 1.50 ERA and 13 strikeouts in 12 innings.
McMillion has carried that success over to spring training with the Phillies this year. In four games, he has yet to allow a run, while striking out five, walking three and only allowing one hit in four innings of spring training work. As a non-roster invitee, the Phillies would have to add McMillion to the 40-man roster if they want to include him on the Opening Day roster.
Devin Sweet, RHP
Unlike McMillion, Phillies' offseason acquisition Devin Sweet is currently on the 40-man roster and has also put up solid numbers in camp this spring. The right-hander, who was acquired in a minor deal with the Detroit Tigers in early November, began his spring with four scoreless appearances and three strikeouts before having a rough performance against the Boston Red Sox on March 11, allowing four hits, three earned runs and a walk in 1 1/3 innings pitched.
While his ERA is now up to 5.79, one small setback shouldn't influence manager Rob Thomson's Opening Day roster decision very much. Sweet's 40-man roster status probably makes him the betting favorite to win the final bullpen spot if one becomes available.
Nabil Crismatt, RHP
Nabil Crismatt entered Phillies camp with 114 games of MLB experience with the St. Louis Cardinals, San Diego Padres Padres, Arizona Diamondbacks and Los Angeles Dodgers. That previous experience could come into play early this season if Strahm starts the year on the IL.
The right-hander seemed to have carved out a role for himself with the Padres after making 45-plus appearances out of the bullpen between 2021 and 2022. Since then he has only appeared in 13 games at the MLB level after a hip strain and poor performance led to him spending time in three organizations last year.
Signed to a minor league deal with an invite to spring training by the Phillies in December, Crismatt is certainly viewed as a reclamation project. That being said, he has done a decent job when relied upon in spring training games, contributing one win, one save and a 3.60 ERA in four games, while also striking out five and walking one batter in five innings of work. While Crismatt is more likely to get a chance to crack the roster later this season, he's probably on the outside looking in, with McMillion and Sweet seemingly having the inside track toward gaining an Opening Day roster spot.