The Philadelphia Phillies have several players competing for bench spots on their Opening Day roster during spring training. Considering their veteran roster and the club's success over the past few regular seasons, there aren't too many spots available. That doesn't mean players who miss the first checkpoint can't contribute over a long 162-game season, though.
Philadelphia has several players who will receive expanded roles this spring, with the World Baseball Classic taking place from March 4-17. This will give those players left battling for roster spots a bigger opportunity to impress, even if they don't make the team for Opening Day.
5 Phillies players who won't make the Opening Day roster but can have a huge impact during the 2026 season
Daniel Robert, RP
After having a serious health scare at the end of October during a bullpen session, Daniel Robert hasn't appeared in a Grapefruit League game. He received clearance to play baseball again around the time he re-signed with the Phillies on a minor league contract on Feb. 2. With the team only having a couple of open spots in its bullpen available before Opening Day, the right-hander will likely begin the year in Triple-A with the Lehigh Valley IronPigs.
Philadelphia acquired Robert in a trade with the Texas Rangers at the beginning of May last year. The native of Hoover, Alabama, appeared in 18 games with the IronPigs and had a 3.38 ERA, a 1.18 WHIP, 19 strikeouts, and five walks. He finished with a 4.15 ERA, a 1.62 WHIP, 15 strikeouts, and 10 walks in 15 contests with the Phillies before sustaining a season-ending right forearm strain at the beginning of September. He's a candidate to be called up during the season, once he has gotten in plenty of work with Lehigh Valley.
Bryan De La Cruz, OF
Philadelphia signed Bryan De La Cruz to a minor league contract on Nov. 6 of last year. He is a candidate to begin the regular season as one of the club's reserve outfielders, more so now, given the recent news surrounding rumors of center fielder Johan Rojas testing positive for a banned substance.
De La Cruz has slashed .214/.313/.429 with a .742 OPS in six games with the Phillies during spring training so far. His previous time spent in the majors, mostly from 2022 to 2024 with the Miami Marlins and Pittsburgh Pirates, could give him an edge in the competition over other outfielders to begin this season with Philadelphia.
If he starts the year in Lehigh Valley, he'll be a candidate to be called up to the Phillies during the season in case of injuries or if manager Rob Thomson wants another right-handed hitter at the position.
Pedro León, OF
Pedro León has a .286/.375/.357 slash line with a .732 OPS in eight spring training contests so far with the Phillies. He's another right-handed batter competing for an Opening Day bench spot in the team's outfield. However, he has significantly less experience than De La Cruz; the 27-year-old has played only seven career games in the majors, all in 2024 with the Houston Astros. He looks more likely to begin the regular season in Triple-A with the IronPigs, considering his previous lack of playing time in the major leagues.
The Phillies claimed him off waivers from the Baltimore Orioles early in the offseason, back on Nov. 21. He has a career slash line of .252/.354/.450, an .804 OPS, 77 home runs, and 276 games played during his five years in the minor leagues. The native of Havana, Cuba, has played in both the infield and outfield during his time in the minors, including 205 contests in center field, 96 in right field, 71 at second base, and 52 at shortstop, making him an option as a utility player for Thomson during the regular season.
Max Lazar, RP
Reliever Max Lazar has appeared in 47 games with Philadelphia combined over the previous two seasons. He has a 4.75 ERA, a 1.24 WHIP, 35 strikeouts, and 14 walks in 55 innings so far in his major league career. In three relief appearances during spring training this year, the right-hander has a 3.00 ERA, a 2.00 WHIP, two strikeouts, and three walks in three innings pitched.
The Coral Springs, Florida, native will likely start the year in Lehigh Valley this season, where he pitched in 18 contests out of the bullpen last year, totaling a 3.38 ERA, a 1.03 WHIP, 23 strikeouts, and seven walks in 21 and 1/3 innings. Lazar is a potential middle-relief option for the Phillies during the regular season in 2026.
Seth Johnson, RP
Seth Johnson has made a positive impression with the Phillies so far this year during spring training. In four relief appearances and one start, the right-hander has compiled a 1.93 ERA, a 0.86 WHIP, two strikeouts, and two walks in four and 2/3 innings.
Johnson's uptick in pitch velocity has played a part in his success so far this spring. He has an outside chance to make the Phillies Opening Day roster if he can maintain his success before the regular season. Considering the Phillies' limited available bullpen spots a few weeks before Opening Day, the 27-year-old will more likely be forced to begin the year with the IronPigs. However, if he keeps up his solid spring training start with Lehigh Valley, he may force Philadelphia to give him a look sooner rather than later this season.