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Both of Phillies' spring roster battles are down to 1-on-1 originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

The Phillies on Saturday morning cut their spring training roster down to 29 players, leaving two men in competition for both the final bench role and spot on the pitching staff.

Kody Clemens and Buddy Kennedy are the last reserves left after Cal Stevenson was optioned to Triple A and non-roster invitees Christian Arroyo and Oscar Mercado were reassigned to minor-league camp.

Tyler Phillips and Michael Mercado are the last two pitching staff hopefuls remaining after Kyle Tyler was optioned to Triple A and Nabil Crismatt was reassigned to minor-league camp.

One of Clemens or Kennedy will make the Opening Day roster unless the Phillies trade for or sign someone who doesn’t have a role on another team and fits their bench better. Ideally, this bench bat would hit right-handed because the Phillies never pinch-hit a lefty for Trea Turner, Alec Bohm, Nick Castellanos or J.T. Realmuto. They do pinch-hit for Johan Rojas, who will make the team as the fourth outfielder, but when Rojas starts it means Marsh is on the bench to fill that role.

Clemens, who hits left-handed and is out of minor-league options, continues to make it a difficult call, though. He would obviously be claimed by another team if the Phillies don’t carry him on their Opening Day roster and try to pass him through waivers. Preserving depth is important, and we’ll know in a few days whether the Phillies deem it more important to keep Clemens in the organization or opt for the right-handed bat. If they do go with Clemens, then Edmundo Sosa would be their only viable right-handed pinch-hitting choice.

Kennedy, too, is out of options. The Phillies have gotten him 21 innings in left field this spring because they want their final bench player to be able to help out in the corner outfield if needed. Kennedy is just 6-for-35 (.171) but has three homers, a double and 10 walks.

Clemens is 14-for-46 (.304) this spring with two homers, a triple, two doubles and seven RBI. The Phillies know as well as any team that he’s a solid extra man because he’s delivered more than a few clutch hits in his two seasons in the organization. He was the distant second piece in their January 2023 trade with Detroit for reliever Gregory Soto but has turned out to be the longer-lasting acquisition.

The pitching staff decisions will depend on the readiness of Ranger Suarez (back stiffness) and Matt Strahm (left shoulder impingement).

Suarez seems like a longshot for the Opening Day roster given the month he missed last summer with back issues and the fact that his first regular-season start would be in just 12 days.

Strahm was scheduled to throw at the Phillies’ spring training complex on Saturday. How his arm responds to that session will determine the team’s path with him. Strahm is such an important member of the Phillies’ bullpen that it doesn’t make much sense to rush things unless he’s feeling 100 percent. You can get through the first two series against the Nationals and Rockies without one of your key bullpen pieces. You’re not getting through October without him, though.

Phillips has not pitched well in Grapefruit League play with an 8.38 ERA in six appearances, but he too is out of minor-league options and could serve temporarily as the bullpen’s long man if Suarez begins the season on the IL and Taijuan Walker assumes his spot in the rotation. Michael Mercado does have option years remaining.

If both Suarez and Strahm start the season on the injured list, Phillips and Mercado could both make the team. Or the Phillies could option Mercado and sign a pitcher let go by another team.

Just two more games to go in Clearwater before the 2025 Phillies finally head north.

Giants roster moves provide rotation clarity at end of spring training originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

SAN FRANCISCO — The Giants provided some roster clarity on their final day in Arizona as a couple of young pitchers got sent back to Triple-A. 

Left-hander Kyle Harrison was optioned along with right-hander Keaton Winn, leaving Hayden Birdsong and Landen Roupp in the mix for the fifth spot in the rotation. They also reassigned left-hander Joey Lucchesi to minor league camp, so Erik Miller is the only left-handed reliever left in camp.

The Giants optioned Kyle Harrison and Keaton Winn to Triple-A. It’s Landen Roupp or Hayden Birdsong for the final rotation spot. Harrison was behind all spring after losing about 13 pounds from a virus right before the start of camp.

— Alex Pavlovic (@PavlovicNBCS) March 22, 2025

Harrison spent all of last season on the big league roster, but his offseason was taken up by rehab for shoulder inflammation that he suffered after returning too soon from an ankle injury last summer. As camp was starting, a virus cost Harrison about 13 pounds, and he was behind all spring. 

Harrison threw three relief innings last weekend after Birdsong and Roupp had both gone five, and afterward, manager Bob Melvin admitted that there probably wasn’t enough time left in camp for Harrison to get fully up to speed. The 23-year-old will start 2025 in the Triple-A rotation as he gets his pitch count up.

Birdsong has a 0.75 ERA this spring and has yet to walk a batter, showing improved command to go along with a repertoire that’s led by a fastball that repeatedly hit 98 mph this spring. In 12 innings, he has 18 strikeouts.

Roupp pitched his way onto the Opening Day roster last spring and is doing it again. He has 14 strikeouts and one walk in 12 Cactus League innings and struck out 13 in five innings of a minor league game. If Roupp does not get the rotation spot, he’s a strong candidate to fill out the bullpen.

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Giants outfielder Encarnacion fractures left hand in spring training originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

The Giants didn’t get the news they had hoped for just days before the start of the 2025 MLB season.

San Francisco outfielder Jerar Encarnacion suffered a left hand fracture and will undergo more testing Saturday, the team announced ahead of its spring training matchup with the Arizona Diamondbacks.

The Giants say Jerar Encarnacion has a fractured left hand and will get additional tests done today. Awful news for a guy who had a good spring and was headed for a lot of the DH at-bats.

— Alex Pavlovic (@PavlovicNBCS) March 22, 2025

Encarnacion sustained the injury when he jammed his left ring finger while attempting to make a diving catch during the top of the seventh inning in the Giants’ 5-4 win over the Cleveland Guardians in Scottsdale, Ariz.

He immediately exited the game and was sent for X-rays.

“It’s easier said than done playing right field here in spring training when you’re just coming in a game, too,” Giants manager Bob Melvin said (h/t MLB.com Maria Guardado). “He was just trying to lay out and make a good play. He just caught his fingers underneath.”

No other details immediately were available and there’s no timeline of his return.

The timing isn’t ideal for obvious reasons, with San Francisco’s season opener just five days away. But the 27-year-old also was rolling in spring training, hitting .302 (16-for-53) with two home runs, seven doubles, 14 RBI and four runs scored in 20 games played this spring.

His absence will open the door for another roster spot and the DH spot on Opening Day.

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