The Philadelphia Phillies have had quite the overhaul of their bullpen since Opening Day of 2024. Gone were some relievers who had been key in their recent postseason runs, while they brought in new faces with hopes that the change could be enough to put them over the top.
Now just over a couple of weeks into the 2025 MLB season, the Phillies’ bullpen had been struggling somewhat, to say the least. Heading into Sunday’s action, their relief corps ranks 13th in the league in ERA (3.86), 22nd in strikeouts (45), 21st in WHIP (1.40) and 24th in opponents batting average (.259), along with five blown saves already.
It hurts even a bit more when the Phillies look around the league and see some of their former relievers thriving with their new teams this year. With that, let’s take a look at four former Phillies pitchers who have been off to hot starts who could have helped the Phillies' bullpen right about now.
4 former Phillies relievers off to hot starts who would help in the bullpen right now
Seranthony Domínguez, Baltimore Orioles
When Seranthony Domínguez was struggling mightily with the Phillies during his 2024 campaign, who would have thought he could turn things around so quickly after joining the Baltimore Orioles at last year’s trade deadline. Not only did he impress with his new team, he promptly usurped another former Phillie Craig Kimbrel to take over the closing duties down the stretch run.
This year, with original Orioles closer Félix Bautista back at the helm, Domínguez has fallen back to become a late-inning man. Domínguez surprisingly has prospered even more in that role.
To date, he has been lights out, holding the opposition scoreless on just one hit with seven strikeouts in just 5 2/3 innings pitched over six appearances. Just for good measure, Domínguez has also posted a win and a hold in the process. That kind of dominance is exactly what the Phillies need right now to stabilize their bullpen core.
Gregory Soto, Baltimore Orioles
Then there is the supposedly inconsistent Gregory Soto. After posting an ERA higher than 4.00 with the Phillies for two consecutive years, Soto also ended up being dealt to the Orioles at the 2024 trade deadline. Apparently, Baltimore knew exactly what they were doing last year in adding two former Phillies to their roster.
That’s because in addition to Domínguez, Soto has also been impressive coming out of the gate for the Orioles in 2025. The 30-year-old lefty has posted a 0.00 ERA and 0.83 WHIP, giving up just three hits with two walks and a whopping nine strikeouts in six innings of work over six relief appearances.
As Soto begins to settle back in nicely in the American League, it appears as though his former All-Star form is resurfacing as well. Unfortunately, that was something that the Phillies wished they had got from him the past two years, which likely would have kept him in town.
Jeff Hoffman, Toronto Blue Jays
The Phillies knew they were going to lose a good one when Jeff Hoffman left in free agency following the 2024 season. After all, all he did in his two seasons with Philadelphia was compile an 8-5 record with a stellar 2.28 ERA and 0.94 WHIP, with a whopping 158 strikeouts in 118 2/3 innings pitched.
With that performance, it essentially priced Hoffman out of town. The Phillies were hoping that some of their new faces could pick up some of the slack following his departure, which sadly hasn’t materialized just yet.
Now with the Toronto Blue Jays for the next three seasons, Hoffman has been off to a blazing start. Leading the American League in appearances with seven as the Jays’ closer, the 32-year-old has a 1-0 record and is 3-for-3 in save opportunities. He has a tidy 1.23 ERA and 0.68 WHIP, with nine strikeouts in 7 1/3 innings of work. Perhaps the Phillies accidentally let the heir to the closer’s role walk away without knowing now.
JEFF "NAILS" HOFFMAN pic.twitter.com/woPtm3AZGh
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) April 10, 2025
Carlos Estévez, Kansas City Royals
Finally, we have the Phillies’ biggest trade deadline acquisition from last season in Carlos Estévez. He may not have helped Philadelphia get to the next level with their early first-round exit in the NLDS last season. Nevertheless, Estévez still did an admirable job during his brief tenure with the Phillies, putting up a 3-2 record with six saves, together with a solid 2.57 ERA and 1.19 WHIP, with 18 strikeouts in 21 innings over 20 regular season appearances down the stretch.
With the Phillies failing to retain his services, Estévez found a new home with the Kansas City Royals this past offseason and has started off with a bang with his new club in 2025. In six relief appearances, he has recorded four saves along with a 1.50 ERA and 1.17 WHIP, holding opposing batters to just a .143 average with six strikeouts in six innings pitched.
Estévez would have been a much-needed calming presence at the back end of the bullpen for the Phillies this year. But instead, he has now formed a two-headed monster with Lucas Erceg to lock down games with the Royals as Philadelphia fans can only ponder what could have been.