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Kerkering (hamstring) threw a clean inning in Saturday's minor-league rehab appearance for Triple-A Lehigh Valley, striking out one.
Kerkering, who's working his way back from a Grade 1 right hamstring strain, is next expected to pitch in consecutive games Sunday and Monday, per MLB.com. Once he's cleared to join Philadelphia's bullpen, Kerkering is likely to operate primarily as a setup man for closer Jhoan Duran in 2026.
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Phillies' Orion Kerkering: Lands on IL
Rotowire
The Phillies placed Kerkering (hamstring) on the 15-day injured list Wednesday.
Kerkering's move to the IL was a foregone conclusion after the righty reliever didn't make his Grapefruit League debut until last Friday while he recovered from a Grade 1 right hamstring strain. He was able to make another appearance Monday on the back fields of camp, but the Phillies presumably want to see the 24-year-old stack up a few more innings before clearing him to join the big-league bullpen. He'll likely be ready to start a rehab assignment when the minor-league season gets underway Friday, and he could be ready to return from the IL when first eligible April 7.
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Phillies' Orion Kerkering: Opening season on IL
Rotowire
Kerkering (hamstring) will begin the regular season on the injured list, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.
The right-hander has made just one Grapefruit League appearance this spring while working his way back from a Grade 1 hamstring strain, so he'll get some more time to build up before joining the Phillies. Once healthy, Kerkering is expected to fill a setup role after recording four saves and 19 holds with a 3.30 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 65:27 K:BB across 60 regular-season innings last year.
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Phillies' Orion Kerkering: Cleared to pitch in minors game
Rotowire
Kerkering (hamstring) is slated to make an appearance Tuesday in a minor-league game on the back fields of camp, Lochlahn March of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.
Kerkering is no worse for the wear after tossing a live batting practice session over the weekend, so he'll be available to pitch for the first time in spring training, albeit in a controlled setting. The hard-throwing right-hander has been slowed by a Grade 1 right hamstring strain throughout the spring, but he should be able to avoid a stint on the injured list to begin the season if he's able to get a couple of appearances under his belt during the final week of camp.
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Phillies' Orion Kerkering: Could pitch Tuesday after live BP
Rotowire
Kerkering (hamstring) said after throwing a live batting practice session Saturday that he expects to pitch in Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against the Twins, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.
Kerkering has been held out of spring training games while rehabbing from a Grade 1 right hamstring strain. He appears to have progressed enough in his recovery to be available for Tuesday's contest, and the 25-year-old right-hander is aiming to pitch in three games before Opening Day. Kerkering appeared in 69 games for the Phillies in 2025, finishing with a 3.30 ERA, 1.37 WHIP, four saves and a 65:27 K:BB across 60 innings.
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Phillies' Orion Kerkering: Scheduled for live BP Saturday
Rotowire
Kerkering (hamstring) will throw a live batting practice session Saturday, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.
The right-handed reliever has been slowed since the start of camp by a Grade 1 right hamstring strain, and this will be the second time he's faced hitters since the injury. If things go off without a hitch Saturday, Kerkering's Grapefruit League debut should be around the corner. Phillies manager Rob Thomson said Thursday that Kerkering will "possibly" have enough time to be ready for Opening Day.
Kerkering (hamstring) threw a bullpen session Saturday, Charlotte Varnes of The Athletic reports.
The right-hander completed his third side session since having his throwing program delayed by a Grade 1 hamstring strain at the start of camp, per MLB.com. Kerkering, who's expected to be one of Philadelphia's primary setup men for closer Jhoan Duran, still has plenty of time to build up in advance of Opening Day.
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Phillies' Orion Kerkering: Getting back on mound Saturday
Rotowire
Kerkering (hamstring) will throw a bullpen session Saturday, Charlotte Varnes of The Athletic reports.
It will be his first time throwing off a mound since he suffered a Grade 1 hamstring strain. If things go well Saturday, Kerkering would likely then progress to facing hitters before appearing in a game. The right-handed reliever has plenty of time to ramp up for Opening Day, barring setbacks.
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Phillies' Orion Kerkering: On mend from hamstring strain
Rotowire
The Phillies announced Wednesday that Kerkering will be delayed at the start of spring training while he recovers from a Grade 1 hamstring strain, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.
Kerkering will be limited to rehab work in the early stages of camp, but because he's typically deployed as a one-inning reliever, he won't need much ramp-up time once he's cleared to get back on a mound. The hard-throwing right-hander hasn't quite developed into the reliable high-leverage option the Phillies envisioned when he first reached the big leagues in 2023, but he'll be a key part of the bridge to closer Jhoan Duran in 2026.
Kerkering allowed one run on three hits in one inning Sunday against the Diamondbacks.
Kerkering has now yielded one run in three consecutive outings, and he's watched his ERA for the year climb from 2.81 on Aug. 19 to 3.28 following Sunday's showing. With Jose Alvarado (forearm) now out of the picture, Kerkering still remains very likely to make Philadelphia's playoff roster despite his recent struggles. Through 57.2 innings in 2025, Kerkering has a 3.28 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and 61:26 K:BB.
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Phillies' Orion Kerkering: Picks up fourth save
Rotowire
Kerkering earned the save in Sunday's 3-2 win over the Nationals, allowing one run on one hit and no walks with one strikeout in the ninth inning.
With Jhoan Duran unavailable after pitching on back-to-back days, Kerkering was called on in the ninth and closed the door despite surrendering a solo homer. The 24-year-old now owns a 2.92 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 51:21 K:BB to go along with 19 holds and four saves across 49.1 innings this season.
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Phillies' Orion Kerkering: Notches rare save
Rotowire
Kerkering picked up the save in Monday's 4-1 win against the Reds, pitching a clean inning with one strikeout.
The Philadelphia righty smoothly collected his first save since June 19 in this 10-pitch outing. The Phillies' usual closer, Jhoan Duran, did not appear in Monday's contest after pitching consecutive games on Saturday and Sunday. Kerkering is likely the preferred backup saves option to Duran, as Jordan Romano pitched the seventh Monday (and collected the win) while David Robertson handled the eighth. Across 44.2 total innings, Kerkering sports a 2.62 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 47:19 K:BB while tallying three saves.
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Phillies' Orion Kerkering: Back to handling setup role
Rotowire
Kerkering picked up a hold Sunday against the Rangers after allowing one hit and no walks with no strikeouts in a scoreless eighth inning.
After working his way into the closing picture for a brief stretch amidst Jordan Romano's struggles, Kekering has since reverted back to his role as a setup man for new closer Jhoan Duran. Kerkering has been very effective at preventing runs, posting a 1.67 ERA and 35:13 K:BB over 32.1 innings since the beginning of May, and he should continue to work in high-leverage spots for the Phillies.
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