Philadelphia Phillies To Activate Rookie Reliever, Option Veteran

The Philadelphia Phillies are ready to bring back their rookie sensation to the bullpen as they prepare to wrap up their series with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Philadelphia Phillies reliever Orion Kerkering will be activated for Sunday’s game with the Pittsburgh Pirates, according to a report from The Athletic.

To make room for him, the Phillies intend to send veteran reliever Nick Nelson to Triple-A Lehigh Valley.

Kerkering made his fourth rehab appearance on Thursday at Class A Clearwater as he was building back up from a right forearm strain, which put him on the injured list to start the season.

While in the minors, he shuttled back and forth between Clearwater and Triple-A Lehigh Valley. In his four relief appearances he pitched 4.1 innings, allowed two hits, no runs, and no walks. He struck out 10 and finished 1-0 with no ERA.

Kerkering returned to Philadelphia on Friday after his inning with Clearwater which was expected barring a setback.

Nelson is a fifth-year reliever who made three appearances for the Phillies in 2024. He has a 5.40 ERA in 3.1 innings, striking out five and walking none. He allowed six hits and two earned runs.

He started his career with the New York Yankees in 2020 and spent three years in pinstripes before joining the Phillies last season. He has a 5-4 record and a 5.21 ERA for his career, which includes 73 appearances and 117 strikeouts.

Kerkering made his Major League debut last September when the Phillies called him up to help bolster their bullpen. He went 1-0 with a 3.00 in three games with six strikeouts and two walks. He impressed the Phillies enough to keep him on the postseason roster.

During the playoffs he made seven appearances and pitched five innings, finishing with a 3.38 ERA. He struck out five and walked three.

Kerkering was a fifth-round pick in the 2022 MLB Draft out of South Florida. As a minor league pitcher he went 6-1 with a 1.66 ERA in 59 games.