What will the Phillies' bullpen look like as we head into the 2026 season?
After bringing in right-hander Brad Keller and parting ways with lefty Matt Strahm, it appears that the Phillies have a solid foundation for their bullpen. Jhoan Duran is set to take on the role of closer once again, while Keller and Orion Kerkering will likely fill the roles of late-inning right-handed options. On the left side, José Alvarado and Tanner Banks are expected to be the primary lefties in the mix. Although Taijuan Walker ended the 2025 season as a reliever, he is anticipated to start the year in the rotation, especially since Zack Wheeler may not be ready at the beginning of the season.
As it stands, there are three bullpen spots still available as we approach 2026. With more than a month remaining until spring training kicks off in Clearwater, Florida, the Philadelphia team has ample opportunity to enhance their relief options. However, there are several promising internal candidates vying for those final spots. Let's delve into who might secure a position out of spring training.
RHP Jonathan Bowlan
Bowlan is almost a guaranteed candidate for one of the last bullpen spots. After the Phillies acquired him in exchange for Strahm, Dave Dombrowski, the president of baseball operations, expressed confidence in Bowlan’s ability to make the major league roster. At 29 years old, Bowlan is out of minor league options and has limited experience in the big leagues; however, he did manage a respectable 3.86 ERA over 34 appearances with the Kansas City Royals last season. His ability to pitch multiple innings positions him well for either a long-relief or middle-relief role.
RHP Zach McCambley
The Phillies selected McCambley in the Rule 5 draft, which means he must remain on the major league roster throughout the entire season, or the team will have to return him to the Marlins. This situation might encourage the Phillies to keep McCambley, particularly if he demonstrates effectiveness against right-handed hitters at the major league level. Last year, he posted a 2.90 ERA in the minors and limited right-handed batters to a .490 on-base plus slugging percentage (OPS).
LHP Kyle Backhus
Shortly after trading Strahm, the Phillies acquired Backhus, adding another left-handed pitcher to their bullpen options. In 2025, he recorded a 4.62 ERA over 32 games with the Diamondbacks. Notably, Backhus exhibited extreme splits, allowing right-handed hitters to bat an alarming .365 against him, while lefties managed only a .139 batting average. If the Phillies aim to have a third lefty for specific matchups, Backhus could fill that niche as a left-on-left specialist. He still has minor league options available.
RHP Zach Pop
Pop joined the Phillies on a major league deal last month after facing challenges securing a spot with any big league team in 2025. He had a tough time, yielding 11 earned runs across five appearances with both the Mariners and Mets. Nonetheless, Pop is capable of pitching multiple innings and enjoyed some successes during earlier stints with the Marlins. Now at 29, he is out of minor league options, meaning he would need to be designated for assignment if he does not perform well enough in spring training to earn a place on the team.
RHP Max Lazar
Lazar has experienced a rollercoaster ride between the majors and minors over the past couple of seasons with the Phillies, and this pattern may continue in 2026 since he still has options remaining. When he has been on the big league roster, manager Rob Thomson has shown a willingness to use Lazar in various roles. He offers a different look from the bullpen without relying on overpowering pitches, finishing the 2025 season with a 4.79 ERA across 36 appearances.
RHP Seth Johnson
Acquired at the 2024 trade deadline, Johnson transitioned to a relief role last season, ending with a 4.26 ERA in 10 outings. He throws relatively hard and can contribute length to the bullpen; however, the team appeared to favor Lazar over Johnson during the previous season. According to reports from The Athletic's Matt Gelb, Johnson has been granted an additional option year for 2026, giving the team flexibility with his status.
Additional Candidates
Right-hander Nolan Hoffman made a single relief appearance for the Phillies in 2025 and remains part of the organization. Alan Rangel also served as the club's long reliever at various times, but the team might prefer to utilize him at Triple-A for starting depth at the outset of the season. Meanwhile, prospect Alex McFarlane has been added to the 40-man roster this winter and possesses impressive stuff; however, he is likely a long shot to break into the majors at the start of the year, considering he has yet to pitch above Double-A.
For those intrigued by potential dark-horse candidates, Daniel Harper and Andrew Walling were brought to Philadelphia to throw live batting practice sessions to Trea Turner and Edmundo Sosa as they recovered from injuries late last season. Additionally, Jack Dallas had an impressive year in Double-A and followed it up with a strong performance in the Arizona Fall League.
With such an array of options, the question remains: Who do you think will secure those final bullpen spots for the Phillies? Are there any surprises you anticipate? Join the conversation in the comments!
