Orion Kerkering dealing with hamstring issue, though concern seems low

The Phillies have so far been spared from the out-of-nowhere major injury news that always comes at the start of MLB spring training and has already hit the Braves and Mets, but there was still a bit of bad Phillies news on Wednesday: Orion Kerkering is dealing with a hamstring issue, manager Rob Thomson told reporters, including Phillies Nation’s Destiny Lugardo, in Clearwater.

Thomson said the righty reliever felt a bit of discomfort in the hamstring in his last bullpen session before spring training started. “We’re gonna be cautious with that,” Thomson said, but he didn’t sound too concerned: Kerkering is still playing catch; the Phillies hope for him to get some flat-ground work in shortly.

Nevertheless, to whatever extent, it’ll slow Kerkering down at the start of his campaign to turn the page from a tough ending to last season. Kerkering had a 3.30 ERA across 60 innings in his second full season, a moderate step back from his rookie year but, after April, more than a few glimpses of what he could bring to the Phillies’ bullpen in 2026.

The Phillies bolstered their right-handed relief corps this winter, signing Brad Keller after a career year in his first full season as a full-time reliever. They also landed Jonathan Bowlan, against whom righties had a .505 OPS last year, in return for Matt Strahm. Kerkering will figure to slot between those two (assuming Bowlan makes the big-league team) from the right side. There was reportedly external interest in Kerkering this offseason, but the disinterested Phillies made it clear to him after signing Keller the prominent role they still expect him to play in their bullpen.

None of that is changed by the hamstring news. It just means the ramp-up will start a little later for the 24-year-old.