With the key signing of Jordan Romano and later Joe Ross this offseason, the bulk of the overhaul for the bullpen of the Philadelphia Phillies appeared to be complete heading into 2025. However, that hasn't stopped the Phillies from adding further depth to their relief corps as valuable insurance.
On Wednesday, the Phillies acquired right-handed sidearmer Josh Hejka from the New York Mets in exchange for cash considerations, per Phillies Tailgate on X and as noted on Hejka's player page. Hejka had been a part of the Mets organization since 2019 when they signed him to a minor league contract to join their Rookie League affiliate Kingsport at the time.
Phillies trade for sidearmer Josh Hejka from Mets ahead of spring training
Specializing with his unique sidearm delivery, the 27-year-old reliever has put up some solid numbers over four minor league seasons, compiling a 10-7 record with a 3.73 ERA and 1.34 WHIP, with 54 walks and 174 strikeouts in 193 innings pitched over 126 appearances. However, Hejka’s promising career was interrupted when he had to undergo Tommy John surgery, causing him to miss the entire 2023 year as a result.
Nevertheless, it appears as though his greatest obstacle facing him right now actually isn’t his recovery from major surgery, which he has successfully done already. Instead, the main roadblock Hejka currently faces is the struggles that he has endured since moving up to the Triple-A level.
Despite having reached the highest minor league level on three separate occasions in the past four years, Hejka has mostly disappointed, amassing a cumulative 0-1 record with a 10.13 ERA and 2.06 WHIP, giving up 12 earned runs on 19 hits with three walks and eight strikeouts in just 10 2/3 innings of work over seven appearances.
With top pitching prospect Mick Abel having also gone through a similar struggle last season before spending invaluable time on the development list to help get his game back on track, the Phillies will likely hope to do the same with the once-promising Hejka this coming season. And who knows, with a few tweaks here and there, Hejka could have a legitimate shot at cracking the Phillies’ bullpen in the not-so-distant future.