Phillies News and Discussion 2025 Season

[andyb]

Bullpen musings here but it does seem the Phillies might want to move on from Romano soon. And notes Seth Johnson is eligible to be recalled as soon as today. I wonder if the plan has always been to get Johnson back and stash Lazar in AAA until the roster limits increase. While also giving them a couple of options of pitchers to send down if we need an extra starter at some point.

As José Alvarado returns to crowded Phillies bullpen, can Jordan Romano justify...

[zambonir]

It's funny, last night Ben Davis was talking about just using him in lower leverage spots and hoping he can get back on track as if that hasn't been the story of his whole season. But Thomson still seems to be behind him, and his peripherals are not nearly as bad as that ugly ERA (expected ERA more than FIP, because those home runs are certainly not unlucky).

I just figure the Phillies don't want to eat the money and see him sign with another team before August 31, even if it's a stretch - or maybe even a plus - to imagine him coming out of the Dodgers or Mets bullpen in October.

[andyb]

I think I'd rather have a Seth Johnson in lower leverage spots because he can throw 2 innings. Plus we probably want him in the bullpen next season when his options run out and more MLB experience will help.

Romano throwing 94 like he was the other day is just not any good.

[jimbomill]

last night Ben Davis was talking about just using him in lower leverage spots

Maybe if we give him the Trea Turner treatment that righted Trea's ship, he might come around. He's unlikely to be expecting it but you never know

[zambonir]

Unfortunately I feel like these things take care of themselves, anyone gets injured and Lazar can just come back. Perhaps Romano himself needs to be checked for soreness. Maybe he doesn't survive the homestand if he has another blow-up but seems just as likely he'll come out and have a couple of more adequate outings. The velo/stuff really does seem to come and go

[Philsmania]

I think Romano sticks the rest of the season as the designated mop-up guy.

[zambonir]

He can't really mop-up because like Andy says he doesn't have length, but they have Ross for the next 10 days if there are no other moves, and Alvarado's return pushes Banks (who can give more length) down too.

He only pitches in losses or blowouts for the most part already. His last three outings (two of which were bad) he entered when Phillies trailed 4-0, trailed 2-0 and led 7-1. He actually kept them in the 2-0 game and stunk in the 4-0 game. The three before that he pitched well while the Phillies were trailing 7-5, 5-1 and 1-0 (he got the win in that one when they scored four runs the next inning). At this point he's not our failed expensive closer, he's just Dylan Covey but not suited for that role.

[Jazzhead]

Mrs. Jazz and I were debating this afternoon whether it would be Ross or Romano in the ninth with the Phils leading 11 - 2. She made the good point that entering the game to a shower of boos (even with a good light show) might not be best for him right now. And, as she predicted, Ross came in (and did the job).

I agree with @zambonir that the club's chilling thought is that if we DFA Romano, he likely ends up pitching against us out of the Mets' or Dodgers' bullpen. Alverado's return relieves us from using Romano in any halfway-important situations before he shows that he's again worth a bucket of warm spit. Mop-up work is his role now; the Phils are fortunate that our starters are so strong that mop-up situations should be few and far between.

[zambonir]

I think it's still also just good roster management to preserve an asset if you're not forced to lose it, even if it's a very distressed asset. In a season where we've had a PED suspension and a blood clot and Nola's double-injury you just never know when you might need the depth. I don't really fear he'll be on some other team's playoff roster, nor ours, but now that it's definitely an eight-man bullpen again rather than seven he's basically just this year's Dylan Covey with a big paycheck and our bad memories of him, except less suited for that kind of work.

[Austinfan]

Ross looked solid, hit 96, 3 pitches. Think going down the stretch he has more upside than Romano.

[zambonir]

No question. More versatile as far as lengthy. Almost certainly on the playoff roster. Would probably anchor a bullpen game right now too, if they had to have one.

[schillingfan]

Going to Friday’s game with my daughter for her birthday. Are we getting Nola or Walker?

[BaseballCat]

MLB says Walker Friday and Nola Saturday. Have fun!

[Philsmania]

Walker has been the Phillies' best pitcher this month so far. Who the heck had Walker being the Phillies August Pitcher of the Month on their 2025 Phillies bingo card? Losing Wheeler is cataclysmic but if we head into October with Walker and Sanchez as hot hands, that would be nice. I got to admit that I am happy for Walker for the way he's come back from oblivion this year. Attitude and work ethic were never his problem.

[bkox]

Mets lose to Nats. Phils 6.5 up. Mets only .5 up over the Reds for the final wild card spot

Phillies back to the 3rd best record in MLB and 2nd best in the NL

[BostonRoss]

My son's father-in-law (Yankee fan in NYC) invited us to see the Yankees and Red Sox at Yankee Stadium this Saturday. That won't work out, and so he said maybe we could go to a playoff game. I asked if he was sure there would be playoff baseball in New York this year and suggested we plan to meet in Philly.

[zambonir]

But seriously if season ended today it's Sox at Yankee Stadium for three games in the WC round right?

[phillychuck]

Stott’s big league career... He’s about a 2.5 WAR 2B over his first four years. I’ve always liked him a lot as a player, but I don’t think he’s ever going to be special (which I had hoped for).

[RolenRules]

Bryson Stott. He has picked up the pace recently. I hope he continues

[bkox]

Mets lose to Nats. Phils 6.5 up. Mets only .5 up over the Reds for the final wild card spot

Mets Lose to Nats. Phils 7 up