Spring training is winding down, and the Philadelphia Phillies are still trying to figure out who will make the final Opening Day roster. Time is ticking away, and with the Phillies set to take on the Washington Nationals on Thursday to open the regular season they need to make some hard decisions. They made a few of those decisions on Saturday morning, announcing a round of roster cuts that trims the major league camp to 31 players.
Ahead of their road game against the New York Yankees, the Phillies optioned outfielder Cal Stevenson and right-hander Kyle Tyler to Triple-A Lehigh Valley. They also reassigned infielder Christian Arroyo, catcher Josh Breaux, right-hander Nabil Crismatt and outfielder Oscar Mercado to minor league camp.
Prior to today’s game, the Phillies optioned OF Cal Stevenson and RHP Kyle Tyler to Lehigh Valley (AAA). Additionally, the following players were reassigned to minor league camp: INF Christian Arroyo, C Josh Breaux, RHP Nabil Crismatt and OF Oscar Mercado.
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) March 22, 2025
Phillies’ roster cuts set up battle for final bench spot between Kody Clemens and Buddy Kennedy
Stevenson and Tyler weren't necessarily surprising moves. Both on the 40-man roster and with minor league options to spare, the Phillies will stash them away in Triple-A for potential use later this season. Stevenson struggled at the plate this spring, slashing .179/.313/.333 in 48 plate appearances. Tyler pitched well in his first five Grapefruit League outings, not allowing an earned run in 7 2/3 innings. He struggled in his final game on Thursday when he gave up five runs on four hits in 1 2/3 innings to the Atlanta Braves.
The biggest surprise in this round of roster cuts is seeing veterans Arroyo and Crismatt sent to minor league camp. Both non-roster invitees had strong spring trainings in their bids to earn a major league job.
Arroyo, a right-handed hitter who can play all over the infield and a little corner outfield, hit .325 with an .861 OPS with a pair of home runs and a couple of stolen bases in 44 plate appearances. He was passed over for Kody Clemens and Buddy Kennedy, who remain in camp in a final battle for the last bench spot.
With Johan Rojas claiming the fourth outfield job, the out-of-options Clemens and Kennedy find themselves in roster limbo. Whoever doesn't make the team as the 26th man will have to pass through waivers.
Despite hitting from the left side, it appears Clemens has given the Phillies no choice but to carry his bat into Opening Day with an impressive spring. In 50 plate appearances, he's hitting .304 with an .882 OPS, two long balls, a pair of doubles and a triple. He has only two walks to 11 strikeouts, however. Kennedy has posted a .171 batting average, but his .819 OPS is buoyed by three home runs and 10 walks — the same number of times he has struck out.
Phillies' Opening Day pitching situation still up in the air thanks to baffling roster cut
As for the pitching situation, things are still a bit murky around Ranger Suárez's recent injury concerns, per MLB.com's Todd Zolecki. Regardless, the Phillies' choice to cut Crismatt is a baffling one, instead opting to keep right-handers Tyler Phillips and Michael Mercado in camp, just in case.
It looked like Crismatt had a legitimate shot at making the team out of camp. He pitched like it, at least. After foregoing the World Baseball Classic qualifiers to stay in camp, the 30-year-old finished with a 2.53 ERA, 0.84 WHIP and six strikeouts to one walk in 10 2/3 innings. He gave up runs in only two of his seven appearances, and if the Phillies want a long man for the bullpen, he proved he can go multiple frames after pitching three innings in his final outing on Thursday.
However, if Suárez's back delays his season debut, Taijuan Walker will slide into the rotation, and one of Phillips or Mercando will start the year in the bullpen. Unfortunately, neither has pitched well enough this spring to inspire much confidence.
Phillips has an 8.38 ERA and 1.66 WHIP in 9 2/3 innings with 11 strikeouts but also seven walks. Mercado has a 7.04 ERA and 1.30 WHIP in 7 2/3 innings, with eight strikeouts and five walks. Mercado has options remaining, but Phillips is out of options and risks being claimed off waivers if he doesn't make the team. If the Phillies opt to carry Phillips out of training camp, they'll just be delaying the inevitable as he'll still have to clear waivers to be assigned to Triple-A eventually. Mercado will be easier to shuttle back and forth this season.