Phillies notes: Updates on Bohm, Alvarado and Thomson sticking to his word on outfield plan
PHILADELPHIA — Max Kepler and Brandon Marsh are back in the starting lineup on Tuesday against right-handed pitcher Dean Kremer. Rob Thomson said after the trade deadline that the Phillies are sticking with a strict platoon in left and center field until the end of the series against the Baltimore Orioles, with Weston Wilson and Harrison Bader in left and center field, respectively, against left-handed starting pitchers. Both Wilson and Bader are expected to be back in the lineup for Wednesday’s series finale against the Baltimore Orioles.
Wilson and Bader both homered in Monday’s 13-3 win over the Orioles, but Thomson said he is sticking with his plan.
“I promised these guys the first six days that we’re gonna platoon,” Thomson said. “I know Bader’s got good numbers (3-for-6 with a double) against Kremer, but Kepler’s 1-for-4 with a home run.” That home run came in August 2023, when Kepler was in the middle of one of the best stretches of his career.
Kepler struck out as a pinch hitter in his only plate appearance on Monday night. He is hitless in his last 11 at-bats. He will fall below the Mendoza line if he fails to record a base hit in his first at-bat. Since July 1, Kepler is batting .180 with a .536 OPS. Since June 1, it’s .170 with a .566 OPS. Whatever way you slice it, it’s been an extremely brutal stretch.
Thomson will communicate a new plan with the outfielders following the Orioles series. It could involve Kepler getting benched – or possibly designated for assignment if the Phillies bring up top outfield prospect Justin Crawford.
The most likely scenario is a platoon in left with Marsh and either Wilson or Otto Kemp and everyday at-bats for Bader in center field, with Kepler relegated to a bench role.
Notes
- Alec Bohm (fractured left rib) probably won’t travel with the team to Arlington ahead of the three-game series against the Texas Rangers. He will likely travel to Lehigh Valley and either wrap up his rehab work before rejoining the team or begin an official rehab assignment. Either way, Bohm is on track to be activated at some point during the upcoming road trip.
- José Alvarado (suspended) threw a bullpen session on Tuesday. Thomson envisioned starting him off in lower leverage situations when his PED suspension ends on Aug. 19. Overall, Thomson was impressed with the way his reliever looked. “It looks like he had been throwing,” Thomson said.
- Joe Ross (back spasms) was activated off the 15-day injured list. Seth Johnson, who pitched two scoreless innings in Monday’s game, was optioned to Triple-A.
- Aaron Nola (stress fracture) will make his next rehab start in Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Wednesday.
- Kyle Schwarber is the 2025 Phillies Heart & Hustle Award winner.