In lieu of the festive season, the Philadelphia Phillies did some Boxing Day shopping this past week to add some valuable bullpen depth to the organization. The Phillies managed to pick up fireballer Génesis Cabrera on a minor league contract from the free agent market.
For Philadelphia fans, that name would certainly ring a bell as it so happens to be the same Cabrera that inadvertently dialed up an unfortunate history with Phillies superstar Bryce Harper.
Génesis Cabrera, the Phillies’ latest minor league signing, once hit Bryce Harper in the head
That fateful day came over four years ago back on April 29, 2021 when one of Cabrera’s pitches got away from him and hit Harper in the face. Fortunately, the Phillies star only ended up missing three games despite the scary-looking injury.
Nevertheless, with some of that beef aside, Cabrera now joins an inspiring Phillies organization with hopes of revitalizing his career. After all, the 29-year-old reliever is coming off a forgettable 2025 campaign that saw him venture through four different MLB organizations in the New York Mets, Minnesota Twins, Chicago Cubs, and Pittsburgh Pirates. Having constantly struggled with his control and command all year, Cabrera ended up compiling a less-than-stellar 6.54 ERA and 1.50 WHIP, giving up 31 earned runs including 12 home runs, along with 18 walks and 35 strikeouts in 42 2/3 innings over 40 appearances.
His best season actually came during his rookie campaign in 2020 with the St. Louis Cardinals when he posted an impressive 4-1 record with a 2.42 ERA and 1.16 WHIP with 32 strikeouts in just 22 1/3 innings over 19 games of action. In doing so, Cabrera helped the Cardinals reach the MLB Playoffs for a second consecutive season. He also showed that flash of brilliance for the Toronto Blue Jays back in 2023, playing a key role in stabilizing their bullpen following his trade from the Cardinals. In 29 relief appearances, Cabrera amassed a sparkling 2.66 ERA and 0.97 WHIP, with six holds and 20 strikeouts in 23 2/3 innings. Once again, his stellar performance guided the Blue Jays into the postseason as well.
Without question Philadelphia is hoping that Cabrera can recapture some of that dominant form that he demonstrated with the Cardinals and Blue Jays to help the team to potentially greater postseason success. In addition, after the recent departure of veteran reliever Matt Strahm in the trade with the Kansas City Royals, Cabrera could provide valuable insurance from the left side in the Phillies bullpen heading into the 2026 MLB season.
Hopefully, by the time all is said and done, Cabrera will have made enough significant contributions to the club such that what he once did to Harper will all be forgotten.