Mar 14, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; Philadelphia Phillies center fielder Justin Crawford (80) looks on against the New York Yankees in the fifth inning during spring training at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
Nathan Ray Seebeck
Phillies
26 players will be on the roster for the Phillies when they welcome the Texas Rangers to Citizens Bank Park for Opening Day on March 26.
Barring injury, we know who the overwhelming majority of them will be, though at least a few spots are open. Here's our second projection of what the original 26-man roster will look like, and some analysis when needed.
Catchers (2): J.T. Realmuto, Rafael Marchán
The Phillies love Garrett Stubbs, so they've presented it all spring that he's competing with Marchán for the backup catching job. But the Phillies were impressed with Marchán's preparation last year, so it would be very surprising if the 27-year-old isn't the backup. The fact that they are trying Stubbs all over the diamond is a bit of a tell.
Both Marchán and Stubbs are out of options, so either would have to pass through waivers before being able to be sent to Triple-A Lehigh Valley. But if we assume Marchán is the backup catcher and Stubbs doesn't make the team as a jack-of-all-trades backup, Stubbs has a split contract. Matt Gelb of The Athletic reported in November that the 32-year-old will make $575,000 in the minors, as opposed to $925,000 in the majors.
First Base (1): Bryce Harper
Second Base (2): Bryson Stott, Edmundo Sosa
Shortstop (1): Trea Turner
Third Base (1): Alec Bohm
IF/OF (1): Dylan Moore
The Phillies like the flexibility of Moore, who is in camp as a non-roster invitee. While he has hit just .185 this spring, he has experience at every position on the field outside of catcher. That might be enough to carry him to the final roster spot over options like Stubbs, Bryan De La Cruz and Pedro León. Whoever gets this spot is going to be looking at very little playing time to open the season.
This is pretty cut and dry. Marsh hit .300 with an .838 OPS against right-handed pitching in 2025. Kemp posted a .786 OPS against lefties a year ago. They have the chance to be a pretty strong platoon.
CF (1): Justin Crawford
Crawford has cooled off since a hot start to Spring Training, but the Phillies seem prepared to ride with the 22-year-old through the highs and lows in 2026. Perhaps Marsh could get an occasional start in center field, but Crawford is going to be the everyday guy at that spot for a while to open the campaign. Check back on June 1.
RF (1): Adolis Garcia
DH (1): Kyle Schwarber
SP (5): Cristopher Sánchez, Jesus Luzardo, Aaron Nola, Taijuan Walker, Andrew Painter
Painter has a 3.52 ERA over three Spring Training starts. He didn't allow a run over his first two outings, which spanned five innings. But he only struck out one hitter. In his most recent start, he struck out four batters, but gave up five hits and three earned runs over 2 2/3 innings. Set to turn 23 on April 10, Painter is still a work in progress, but it's time for him to make that growth at the majors.
We're projecting Zack Wheeler will open the season on the injured list, although the three-time All-Star is making enough progress that it's completely reasonable to think he could be back at some point in April. Whenever Wheeler returns, Walker will presumably move to the bullpen, but we'll see.
RP (8): Jhoan Duran, Jose Alvarado, Brad Keller, Orion Kerkering, Tanner Banks, Kyle Backhus, Jonathan Bowlan, Zach Pop
Duran, Alvarado, Banks, Keller and Kerkering (assuming his right hamstring is good to go) are locks.
Backhus has looked nasty in Spring Training, striking out six batters over five scoreless innings of work. The 28-year-old has earned the right to be the third lefty in the Opening Day bullpen. He's going to have to prove that he can get right-handed hitters out in the majors. He does still have three minor-league options, so whether it's because of performance or just to get a fresh arm, there's a real shot he will be optioned at some point in 2026.
Bowlan was acquired in the December trade that sent Matt Strahm to the Kansas City Royals. He's given up runs in three of four Grapefruit League appearances, but is out of minor-league options, so that gives the 29-year-old an edge.
Zach McCambley vs. Zach Pop might be the battle for the final bullpen spot. The former has a 1.23 ERA over 7 1/3 innings pitched this spring, as opposed to a 5.68 ERA in 6 1/3 for the latter. With that said, all four of Pop's earned runs came in one outing. The following charts from TJ Statsshow the latter's stuff has graded out better:
McCambley was a Rule 5 Draft pick, so he would have to be offered back to the Miami Marlins for $50,000 after clearing waivers. The Marlins can decline to take him back, at which point the 26-year-old would be eligible to be optioned to Triple-A Lehigh Valley. But there would be a lot of hurdles to clear to retain McCambley if he isn't on the MLB roster.
Pop, meanwhile, signed a split deal with the Phillies, but like Stubbs is out of options. According to The Associated Press, he'll make $900,000 in the majors, but just $250,000 if he clears waivers and is outrighted to Triple-A.
Tim Kelly is the Managing Editor for On Pattison. He's been on the Phillies beat since 2020. Kelly is also on Bleacher Report's MLB staff. Previously, Kelly has worked for Phillies Nation, Audacy Sports, SportsRadio 94 WIP, Just Baseball, FanSided, Locked On and Sports Illustrated/FanNation. Kelly is a graduate of Bloomsburg University with a major in Mass Communications and minor in Political Science.
