It's been a long time since the Philadelphia Phillies have played a meaningful baseball game. The long offseason that began after they were eliminated from the NLDS at the hands of the New York Mets last October finally comes to an end on Thursday. The Phillies open the 2025 regular season against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park, with their Opening Day game scheduled for a 4:05 p.m. ET first pitch.
The Phillies gradually whittled down their spring training roster and left the final personnel decision until their final day of Grapefruit League play on Monday. But now we know who will be on the Phillies' 2025 Opening Day roster.
So, let's take a look at who the Phillies will carry into the regular season to begin yet another quest to return to the World Series.
Phillies Opening Day Roster
The Phillies will carry 26 players on the active roster, with just a couple of players beginning the season on the injured list. Left-hander Ranger Suárez will miss most of April as he recovers and ramps back up from a sore back. Weston Wilson, who was an early-spring roster hopeful, might reappear at some point in April but could also see some time in Triple-A if he's not needed immediately.
Kody Clemens made the roster as the final bench piece after a scorching spring campaign. He slashed .327/.373/.527 with two home runs, seven RBI and 11 runs scored in 59 plate appearances. Buddy Kennedy, who lost out to Clemens for the roster spot, has been designated for assignment.
While there aren't any surprises, here's the Phillies' official Opening Day roster:
Your 2025 Fightins! pic.twitter.com/Os3l2Wf0NN
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) March 27, 2025
Phillies Opening Day Lineup
There has already been plenty made about the Phillies' lineup construction before a game has even been played this season. With the incumbent leadoff man Kyle Schwarber and shortstop Trea Turner flip-flopping in the No. 1 spot this spring, we may just see manager Rob Thomson, who was still undecided at the end of spring training, go with the lefty Schwarber against right-handers and the righty Turner against southpaws.
With left-hander MacKenzie Gore taking the hill for the Nationals, Thomson has rolled out his Opening Day lineup with Turner leading off. We know that no matter who hits in the top spot, Bryce Harper, Alec Bohm, Turner and Schwarber will round out the rest of the top four in the order.
Here's the Phillies' Opening Day lineup against the Nationals:
- SS Trea Turner
- 1B Bryce Harper
- 3B Alec Bohm
- DH Kyle Schwarber
- C J.T. Realmuto
- LF Max Kepler
- RF Nick Castellanos
- 2B Bryson Stott
- CF Brandon Marsh
The #OpeningDay lineup is set!#RingTheBell pic.twitter.com/0W5aE2pmH0
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) March 27, 2025
Phillies Opening Day Starting Rotation
Thomson announced his starting rotations plans before the end of spring training. We all knew that ace Zack Wheeler would be taking the ball for Game 1 of the season. The rest of the order was a mystery up until last week when Thomson let us in on his early-season plans.
Left-hander Jesús Luzardo will start Game 2 on Saturday, while veteran righty Aaron Nola will take the bump for the series finale against the Nationals on Sunday. The Phillies will throw lefty Cristopher Sánchez in the home opener on Monday, March 31, against the Colorado Rockies, followed by Wheeler making his second start on April 2. Suárez's replacement, Taijuan Walker, will make his season debut in the finale against the Rockies on Thursday, April 3.
Here's how the first week of games will look for the Phillies' starters:
- Thu., Mar. 27 @ Nationals: Zack Wheeler
- Sat., Mar. 29 @ Nationals: Jesús Luzardo
- Sun., Mar 30 @ Nationals: Aaron Nola
- Mon., Mar 31 vs. Rockies: Cristopher Sánchez
- Wed., Mar 2 vs. Rockies: Zack Wheeler
- Thu., Mar. 3 vs. Rockies: Taijuan Walker
Phillies Opening Day Bullpen
There was some doubt just a couple of weeks ago whether Matt Strahm would be ready for Opening Day after dealing with a shoulder impingement. Luckily for the Phillies, the left-hander is good to go and will take his place at the back end of the bullpen.
He'll be joined by fellow lefty José Alvarado, who had a ridiculously dominant spring and looks to be back in top form entering the year. Youngster Orion Kerkering should play a big role in high-leverage spots this season, as will newcomer Jordan Romano.
The Phillies picked up right-hander Carlos Hernández off waivers on the weekend, so we'll have to see what he brings to the table to begin the season. Offseason signee Joe Ross and returnees Tanner Banks and José Ruiz round out the eight relievers who will start the year in the bullpen for the Phillies.
Here's the Opening Day bullpen roster:
- José Alvarado, LHP
- Tanner Banks, LHP
- Carlos Hernández, RHP
- Orion Kerkering, RHP
- Jordan Romano, RHP
- Joe Ross, RHP
- José Ruiz, RHP
- Matt Strahm, LHP
It remains to be seen who Thomson will turn to first for save opportunities, but he has some strong candidates for the ninth inning.
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