It's been a long winter for Philadelphia Phillies fans after the disappointing exit in the NLDS versus the division rival New York Mets last October. But the Phillies finally kick off their spring Grapefruit League schedule on Saturday when they travel to Lakeland to take on the Detroit Tigers.
The game won't be televised, but we have an idea of some of the players who will be involved in the team's first official contest in 2025. Manager Rob Thomson revealed some names who he'll be taking with him to Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium for the 1:05 p.m. ET tilt.
We don't typically see veteran stars play much on the road during the spring, especially early on. But fans will be happy to know that there will still be some familiar names in the lineup, even if we can't watch them on TV.
Rob Thomson revealed some names who will play Phillies' Grapefruit League opener
According to Phillies Nation's Destiny Lugardo, Thomson mentioned a handful of players who will be playing on Saturday, including second baseman Bryson Stott, third baseman Alec Bohm and utilityman Weston Wilson.
Stott battled a nerve issue in his elbow for much of last season. The nagging injury dragged down his effectiveness at the plate, and he finished with a .245 batting average after impressing with a .280 mark in 2023. The good news is that the 27-year-old is fully healthy now and should pick up where he left off before the injury.
After a winter of trade rumors, Bohm is ready to tackle the season with a new attitude. He put together an All-Star year in 2024 before succumbing to a hand injury that derailed the end of his campaign. He still finished the regular season hitting .280 with a .779 OPS and 97 RBI, and the Phillies will need that kind of production from him again this year.
Wilson only played in 41 games for the Phillies last season, with 98 plate appearances to his name. But the 30-year-old, who's fighting for the final bench spot on the Opening Day roster, put himself into the history books on Aug. 15 with the franchise's 10th cycle. He was also the first Phillies rookie to hit for the cycle.
Every hit from Weston Wilson's cycle 😤 pic.twitter.com/jLsVY8eetq
— MLB (@MLB) August 16, 2024
As for who else will be in Saturday's game, we already know that right-handed reliever Nabil Crismatt will open with a couple of innings of work. Thomson also mentioned that new left fielder Max Kepler, non-roster invitee Rodolfo Castro and catcher Rafael Marchán will make the trip.