Phillies 2026 News and Discussion

[EastFallowfield]

Mets get the advantage of having almost all their players get nothing but rest during the All Star break.

[Patchmk88]

Velocity doesn't really seem to be down. I think it is a command thing which usually points to mechanics. He's been getting behind hitters in the past few games plus the all star game.

[andyb]

Lots of national TV coming up:

Tonight vs Mets - ESPN
Monday vs Dodgers - ESPN
Tuesday vs Dodgers - TBS
Friday vs Yankees - Apple
Sunday vs Yankees - Peacock

5 out of the next 9 (though the TBS games is not exclusive).

[Philsmania]

So much for Keller being the bullpen's cavalry coming over the hill.

https://www.mlb.com/news/brad-keller-has-right-elbow-ucl-tear

Probably out a chunk of 2027 too. Shades of David Robertson's first stint here.

Brad Keller has torn UCL, done for 2026

[Patchmk88]

Fantastic signing.

[andyb]

The long pause in his usage before the break suggested something else was going on.

Assume this means we are in the market for a high leverage bullpen arm. Chapman? Helps on the LH problem in addition to being high leverage.

[EastFallowfield]

Jim Salisbury (@JimSalisbury215) on X

[zambonir]

They were probably in on Chapman even before this. Tough break. But at least there was a reason for his struggles. Seemed obvious he had wear on him from last year either way. Now the odds of a bounce-back season are much lower. Someone else will get a great year from him in 2028 probably.

[zambonir]

that's weird, AQI report says it is supposed to improve as evening wears on though maybe changes in Temp/humidity will trap the bad air?

They shouldn't play at all probably though 200 was usually the cut-off for cancellations when I lived in Portland.

[Philsmania]

Meanwhile the 2027 schedule is out.

Interesting tidbits:
*The home schedule begins and ends with series against the Nationals
*In May, the Phillies have back-to-back series in NYC against the Mets and Yankees.

Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) on X

[Philsmania]

They were probably in on Chapman even before this. Tough break. But at least there was a reason for his struggles. Seemed obvious he had wear on him from last year either way. Now the odds of a bounce-back season are much lower. Someone else will get a great year from him in 2028 probably.

If Keller needs TJS, he's very likely out for all of 2027 as well making 2028 a rehab season pitching in AAA for someone. Perhaps in 2029, he'll be someone's bounceback. Again Robertson is a good reference--pulled up lame in 2019, TJS that summer, missed 2020, pitched for the Rays AAA affiliate in 2021 before making it to Tampa late in the season and then being good for the Cubs and Phillies in 2022.

Maybe Robertson will come out of retirement again for us?

[zambonir]

Maybe Robertson will come out of retirement again for us?

Supposedly he wasn't going to try that this year but can't rule it out until the end of August. But yeah, don't think it will be for us.

[julio]

Can confirm that the @Phillies are calling up RHP Alex McFarlane to the big leagues. No. 17 prospect had 2.06 ERA, 12.1 K/9, .187 BAA for Double-A Reading. Could provide good boost to #Phillies bullpen. Looks like @MLN_X_ had it first?

— Jonathan Mayo ( @JonathanMayo ) July 20, 2026

[zambonir]

Ha, was just reading Gelb's latest column. Is it a two-week audition or just a fresh arm for the series? I guess it depends how he does.

The Phillies have made it clear they do not think McFarlane, 25, has thrown enough quality strikes to earn a promotion just to Triple A — at least not yet. It could happen soon, but the Phillies will be making bullpen decisions at the trade deadline without knowing much about how McFarlane fares against better competition.

[zambonir]

Matt reckons it is just until Backhus can be recalled Wednesday, and also reminds that McFarlane did get a previous ghost call-up this season.

The Alex McFarlane call up feels like a stop over on the way to AAA. They need an arm and don’t trust the guys in AAA (why they are then on the 40 is a different rant), but I really have no faith that he will get into a game or a chance.

— Matt Winkelman ( @mattwinkelman.bsky.social ) July 20, 2026 at 9:18 AM

[andyb]

he Phillies have made it clear they do not think McFarlane, 25, has thrown enough quality strikes to earn a promotion just to Triple A — at least not yet.

Clearly Gelb is just repeating what the Phillies are selling.

This is definitely early but a AAA promotion would not be. I suspect this is temporary but not a placeholder. McFarlane could very well be the extra guy in September and he has had some 2-inning outings of late. This is a tryout for the Phillies to see if he should be in the mix later on. He might even get to debut against the Dodgers on national TV.

[zambonir]

He might even get to debut against the Dodgers on national TV.

Yeah, but like Matt said in that thread, if that happens with Sanchez or Wheeler on the mound something will have gone horribly wrong (or, I guess, very very right).

[andyb]

I prefer to think he'll finish off a 10-1 win.

I just have no burning desire to see Backhus back as a priority. He just is very hittable by right-handed hitters and that is hard to get away with today. His flaws were apparent when we got him. McFarlane is still potential now, but with far better stuff that gives him a chance to survive. And he'll be better prepared for the second inning than Johnson was.

[andyb]

Special Field of Dreams game uniforms. Interesting old time look.

https://www.mlb.com/news/phillies-twins-unveil-2026-field-of-dreams-game-uniforms

[andyb]

Ohtani not pitching Wednesday. Sore knee so DH only.