Spring training for the Philadelphia Phillies is in full swing while the regular season is quickly approaching. It's an exciting time to have baseball back after months of negotiations and waiting to finally hit the field, but the first month of exhibition games can spell injuries for ball players.
Depth is needed when it comes to filling out a major league roster, mostly because there's never a guarantee that every player will walk into Opening Day unscathed. Injuries happen and have already taken place within the NL East alone. The Phillies have been relatively healthy, but their All-Star reliever is dealing with an injury of his own as spring training winds down.
Phillies fans better hope Matt Strahm's setback isn't any worse than team says
According to MLB.com's Paul Casella, left-handed reliever Matt Strahm is currently dealing with a sore shoulder. It's an issue that could spark alarm, but the team believes time off will do Strahm the most good to get him right.
Matt Strahm has a "little bit of a sore shoulder."
— Paul Casella (@Paul_CasellaMLB) March 9, 2025
He hasn't pitched since Wednesday, when his velo was down a bit and he allowed 4 runs in 2/3 IP -- but Rob Thomson said tests were clean and there's no concern.
"Nothing wrong; we're just going to back him off for a few days."
Strahm is a valued member of the Phillies' bullpen and his missing presence will be felt if he has to miss any time. Hopefully Phillies' manager Rob Thomson is right about just requiring rest to get Strahm right. He has become somewhat of a Swiss army knife for the Phillies. Strahm opened games in 2023 and seamlessly adjusted to back-end reliever innings to secure his All-Star selection in 2024, per MLB.com's Todd Zolecki.
Strahm has missed time before, but not as a member of the Phillies. Since Philadelphia picked him up in free agency in December 2022, Strahm has been a reliable arm and go-to for high-leverage innings, especially during the playoffs. In 2024, he pitched to a 6-2 record, 1.87 ERA with 79 strikeouts in 62 2/3 innings pitched.
Strahm's shoulder impingement is a setback that might affect his status for Opening Day
According to Zolecki, Strahm isn't 100 percent sure if he'll be ready for Opening Day due to the shoulder impingement, and he won't throw until at least Thursday after a team doctor looks at it.
Matt Strahm said an impingement in his left shoulder has caused inflammation, but an MRI exam revealed no structural damage. He will not throw until at least Thursday when team doctor takes a look.
— Todd Zolecki (@ToddZolecki) March 10, 2025
Can’t say if he’ll be ready by Opening Day or not. Wants to be smart about it.
There is still time for Strahm to get his innings in before camp breaks on March 24 so he can ramp up as needed. Strahm hasn't gotten much work in yet, only appearing for 1 2/3 innings in two games so far. In those two outings, Strahm has allowed three hits and six runs on one home run.
Strahm's bullpen role could increase in 2025. The Phillies lost both Jeff Hoffman and Carlos Estévez in free agency, simultaneously losing both closer options, per OnPattison.com's Tim Kelly. The club did pick up closer Jordan Romano on a one-year deal, but Strahm could anchor the club further as the season wears on. Injuries are never something fans want to hear, so hopefully Strahm can bounce back soon and help lead the Phillies bullpen to a successful 2025.