January 21, 2026 5:20 PM PST
Now that the Phillies have officially clinched a spot in the postseason, manager Rob Thomson spoke to reporters (including ) earlier today about the clubs plans for the postseason roster. Per Coffey, the club appears to be leaning towards a 12-man pitching staff and an expanded bench for the playoffs this year. , , , , and currently make up the clubs bench mix. Stubbs and Sosa are all but guaranteed spots on the postseason bench as the clubs backup catcher and primary utility infielder respectively, but if the club plans to utilize a five-man bench in the postseason then there are still three spots up for grabs. In addition to Clemens, Wilson, and Stevenson, Coffey notes that recently-optioned infielder could be in the mix for a spot on the postseason bench as well. Perhaps most notably, outfielder also figures to factor into the clubs bench conversation this postseason despite having spent the entire month of September to this point on the IL due to a kidney infection. Hays began a rehab a signment at Triple-A earlier today and while that rehab stint only figures to last two days with the Triple-A season set to end tomorrow, Thomson indicated to reporters (including Coffey) that the club isnt concerned about the lack of in-game reps due to the fact that, if the Phillies secure a bye through the Wild Card round as they currently seem poised to do, Hays would be able to get plenty of at-bats in intra-squad games during that layoff prior to the NLDS. Hays, 28, started the season with the Orioles but was dealt to the Phillies in the trade that sent right-hander to Baltimore ahead of the trade deadline back in July. Overall, hes D'Andre Christmas-Giles Jersey been a roughly league average bat this year with a .254/.305/.388 slash line (96 wRC+), though he was above average before slumping in Philadelphia as he adjusted to a bench role. With that said, hes still an excellent source of offense against left-handed pitching, as demonstrated by his sensational 166 wRC+ against southpaws this season. That could make him a perfect platoon partner of sorts for , who the Phils have worked to protect from same-handed pitching for much of the year. If Hays joins Sosa and Stubbs on the clubs bench, that would leave two spots available for the other four names that seem to be in discu sion. Stevenson has enjoyed semi-regular playing time in a platoon with in center field over the past month and could continue in a similar role into the playoffs, while Clemens has the strongest record of the group as a pinch hitter this year and could therefore be an attractive option as well. That being said, both Wilson and Kennedy could be viable alternatives if the club prefers more right-handed options on the bench beyond Sosa and Hays. Set to join Hays on a rehab a signment tomorrow is right-hander , who notes is expected to start the season finale at Triple-A before continuing his rehab at the clubs complex in Florida. Its a step in the right direction for the 32-year-old, who has been shelved since late June due to a lat strain but could still return to the club during the postseason. The right-hander was nothing short of excellent for the Phillies in a swing role early this year, pitching to a 2.65 ERA with a 3.85 FIP in 54 1/3 innings of work. Speaking of injured right-handers, Coffey noted that top pitching prospect could be in the conversation to participate in the Arizona Fall League as he works his way back from Tommy John surgery, per president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski. Painter has been throwing to live hitters in the clubs Florida complex, but Dombrowski noted that the club has avoided making a firm decision on his availability for the AFL so as to not put pre sure on the 21-year-old to get ahead of himself in his rehab. The clubs top pitching prospect and a consensus top-30 prospect in the sport, Painter was in the conversation for the clubs Opening Day roster after a dominant Spring Training last year but ended up undergoing Tommy John surgery before being sidelined by injuries and eventually going under the knife. The youngster figures to be ready to return in time for the 2025 season, but a return this fall in Arizona would be an encouraging development for a youngster who has lost plenty of reps over the past two seasons due to injury. David Gbenda Jersey
Now that the Phillies have officially clinched a spot in the postseason, manager Rob Thomson spoke to reporters (including ) earlier today about the clubs plans for the postseason roster. Per Coffey, the club appears to be leaning towards a 12-man pitching staff and an expanded bench for the playoffs this year. , , , , and currently make up the clubs bench mix. Stubbs and Sosa are all but guaranteed spots on the postseason bench as the clubs backup catcher and primary utility infielder respectively, but if the club plans to utilize a five-man bench in the postseason then there are still three spots up for grabs. In addition to Clemens, Wilson, and Stevenson, Coffey notes that recently-optioned infielder could be in the mix for a spot on the postseason bench as well. Perhaps most notably, outfielder also figures to factor into the clubs bench conversation this postseason despite having spent the entire month of September to this point on the IL due to a kidney infection. Hays began a rehab a signment at Triple-A earlier today and while that rehab stint only figures to last two days with the Triple-A season set to end tomorrow, Thomson indicated to reporters (including Coffey) that the club isnt concerned about the lack of in-game reps due to the fact that, if the Phillies secure a bye through the Wild Card round as they currently seem poised to do, Hays would be able to get plenty of at-bats in intra-squad games during that layoff prior to the NLDS. Hays, 28, started the season with the Orioles but was dealt to the Phillies in the trade that sent right-hander to Baltimore ahead of the trade deadline back in July. Overall, hes D'Andre Christmas-Giles Jersey been a roughly league average bat this year with a .254/.305/.388 slash line (96 wRC+), though he was above average before slumping in Philadelphia as he adjusted to a bench role. With that said, hes still an excellent source of offense against left-handed pitching, as demonstrated by his sensational 166 wRC+ against southpaws this season. That could make him a perfect platoon partner of sorts for , who the Phils have worked to protect from same-handed pitching for much of the year. If Hays joins Sosa and Stubbs on the clubs bench, that would leave two spots available for the other four names that seem to be in discu sion. Stevenson has enjoyed semi-regular playing time in a platoon with in center field over the past month and could continue in a similar role into the playoffs, while Clemens has the strongest record of the group as a pinch hitter this year and could therefore be an attractive option as well. That being said, both Wilson and Kennedy could be viable alternatives if the club prefers more right-handed options on the bench beyond Sosa and Hays. Set to join Hays on a rehab a signment tomorrow is right-hander , who notes is expected to start the season finale at Triple-A before continuing his rehab at the clubs complex in Florida. Its a step in the right direction for the 32-year-old, who has been shelved since late June due to a lat strain but could still return to the club during the postseason. The right-hander was nothing short of excellent for the Phillies in a swing role early this year, pitching to a 2.65 ERA with a 3.85 FIP in 54 1/3 innings of work. Speaking of injured right-handers, Coffey noted that top pitching prospect could be in the conversation to participate in the Arizona Fall League as he works his way back from Tommy John surgery, per president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski. Painter has been throwing to live hitters in the clubs Florida complex, but Dombrowski noted that the club has avoided making a firm decision on his availability for the AFL so as to not put pre sure on the 21-year-old to get ahead of himself in his rehab. The clubs top pitching prospect and a consensus top-30 prospect in the sport, Painter was in the conversation for the clubs Opening Day roster after a dominant Spring Training last year but ended up undergoing Tommy John surgery before being sidelined by injuries and eventually going under the knife. The youngster figures to be ready to return in time for the 2025 season, but a return this fall in Arizona would be an encouraging development for a youngster who has lost plenty of reps over the past two seasons due to injury. David Gbenda Jersey