Phillies Final Cuts: Bench Spot Down to the Wire Ahead of Opening Day
The Philadelphia Phillies are nearly done trimming the roster for Opening Day with just two spots remaining. The team will have one last look before making final decisions.
Matt Gelb of The Athletic reported that the Phillies’ final bench spot is between Kody Clemens and Buddy Kennedy. Gelb also noted that the Phillies are keeping Michael Mercado and Tyler Phillips in camp if Ranger Suárez isn’t ready for Opening Day.
With Clemens, the Phillies have an experienced player capable of playing multiple positions. Clemens is batting .304 in spring training with two home runs, seven RBIs, and a .882 OPS in 36 at-bats.
The 28-year-old has been a reliable contributor for the Phillies in the majors and is one of two players competing for the final spot on the Opening Day roster.
Kennedy has not had as impressive a spring training, batting .171 with three home runs, seven RBIs, and a .819 OPS in 35 at-bats. His limited MLB experience has also been worse than Clemens’, but he has made the final cut.
Clemens and Kennedy will get their opportunities to close out spring training, and the Phillies will decide which player earned the final bench spot on the Opening Day roster.
Mercado and Phillips are still on the insurance roster in case Suárez misses Opening Day. Taijuan Walker will likely slide into the fifth rotation spot, with one of Phillips or Mercado taking over the long-man role in the bullpen.
It’s an important final stretch for Mercado, Phillips, Kennedy, and Clemens. Spring training is nearly over, and with Opening Day on March 27th, the final two spots on the roster are up for grabs.
