Phillies notes: Why team called up Felix Reyes, sent Otto Kemp to Triple-A; closer Jhoan Duran hits IL
PHILADELPHIA — The Phillies spent much of the offseason talking up Otto Kemp, then reiterated their belief when they handed the former undrafted free agent a short-side platoon job in left field out of spring training.
Three weeks later, with the club in an early 8-11 funk after getting blown out in three straight games at Citizens Bank Park, the Phillies sent him out. In a glut of roster moves ahead of Saturday’s nationally televised matchup with the Atlanta Braves, the team optioned Kemp to Triple-A Lehigh Valley and promoted right-hander hitter Felix Reyes to the big leagues.
Phillies manager Rob Thomson said the team still likes Kemp, and the hope is that Reyes can bring a bit of a spark. He’ll make his major-league debut on Saturday night, batting seventh and playing left field against left-hander Chris Sale.
“He can hit,” Thomson said of Reyes with a smile. “He’s a big man, but it’ll surprise you how athletic he is. He’s a lot better of a runner than people give him credit for. He’s very intelligent, a really good baserunner.”
Reyes, 25, put himself on the map last season when he won the Eastern League MVP and batting title with a .335 average at Double-A Reading, earning himself a promotion to the IronPigs for the end of the year. He continued to hit at Lehigh Valley to start 2026 as he batted .333 with six home runs and a 1.000 OPS in 18 games.
“He’s really performed, Thomson said, “so maybe this gives us a little bit of a shot of energy.”
The biggest drawback for the 6-foot-4, 256-pound Reyes is that he does not have a defensive position that he can really call home. He’s played first base, corner outfield and some third base in the minor leagues, but he’s not a great fielder at any of them. Thomson said Friday that Reyes still “needs reps” in left field. But since Kemp struggled in the outfield while hitting .100 with no extra-base hits, it’s worth it for the Phillies to throw Reyes out there and see if he can produce versus left-handed pitching.
Kemp was hardly the only one scuffling at the plate, but the Phillies decided they needed some change for their lineup against lefties with regulars like Alec Bohm hitting .136 and Adolis García hitting .224 on the year. Kemp can now get regular plate appearances once again at Triple-A.
“It’s not his fault that we didn’t hit,” Thomson said. “It’s tough for him, I’ve said many times, for a guy that doesn’t get consistent at-bats. As a young guy used to playing every day, now you’re playing sparingly. It’s tough sometimes.”
But when the Phillies decided not to acquire a more established right-handed-hitting platoon partner to pair with Brandon Marsh this offseason, they bet on Kemp’s ability to succeed in those limited chances. The results were not encouraging through 19 games. Whether it’s been Cristian Pache, Whit Merrifield, Austin Hays, Weston Wilson or Kemp, the Phillies have been unable to find a fully reliable platoon option since Marsh moved from center field to left field in 2023. They may have to search for one at the trade deadline, unless Reyes can seize this opportunity or Kemp bounces back later in the season.
Jhoan Duran hits 15-day IL
The Phillies placed closer Jhoan Duran on the 15-day injured list with a strained left oblique on Saturday; the move was retroactive to Wednesday. Reliever Seth Johnson was recalled from Triple-A.
Thomson said Duran alerted the Phillies that he felt some discomfort on his side on Wednesday. Then on Saturday, Duran got on the mound and felt a light “pinch” while doing rotational work, the right-hander said. Thomson described the injury as “very, very, very mild.” The Phillies aren’t sure if Duran will spend the minimum 15 days on the IL, but they’re hopeful it will be a short stint.
Right-hander Brad Keller will likely get most of the save opportunities in Duran’s absence, Thomson said, but the Phillies could use others depending on the matchup.
Notes
- Outfielder Pedro León was released to create room for Reyes on the 40-man roster. León was on the injured list at Lehigh Valley.
- Bryce Harper is batting .286 with four home runs, five doubles, a triple and a .932 OPS. Is that elite? Maybe it depends on your definition, but Harper has been the brightest spot in the Phillies’ lineup.
- Marsh is playing center field on Saturday night over rookie Justin Crawford to shield Crawford from facing Sale. Marsh is 2-for-10 with five strikeouts, no walks and no extra-base hits against lefties this year, while Crawford is 1-for-11 with two strikeouts and a hit-by-pitch.