We’ve done it!
Once again, we’ve braved the harsh winters of Pennsylvania (or wherever you’re reading from), and Opening Day has graced us with its presence.
But hold on, there seem to be some unrecognizable faces now in a Philadelphia Phillies uniform. Who are they? How did they get here? Who am I?
While I can’t help you with that last one, let’s run through all the new players in their first season as a Phillie to get you caught up for Opening Day.
Welcome to the Phillies
Jordan Romano
Perhaps the most important addition of the offseason, the Phillies signed former closer Jordan Romano on Dec. 9 to a 1-year, $9 million deal. Pronounced Ro-Man-O, the former 2-time All-Star with the Blue Jays, had a season to forget in 2024. He had arthroscopic surgery for a right elbow impingement and only pitched 13.2 IP with a 6.59 ERA.
Romano seems to have already put that behind him. In Spring Training for the Phillies, he threw 8.2 IP and didn’t allow a single earned run. He allowed just 6 baserunners and struck out 8. The Phillies hope that he will return to form in 2025. If he does, the Phillies will have a closer that averaged a 2.29 ERA in 200.2 IP from 2020-2023.
For comparison, Jeff Hoffman had a 2.28 ERA in his time as a Phillie.
Max Kepler
On the offensive side of the ball, the Phillies’ most consequential addition of the offseason was rightfielder (now leftfielder), Max Kepler. The former Minnesota Twin has never played left field in the majors but will open the season starting there for the Phillies. They inked him to a 1-year $10 million contract on Dec. 20.
Like Romano, Kepler is also coming off an injury-plagued season. In October, Kepler underwent bilateral core surgery to repair a partially detached abdominal muscle. The injury led to Kepler recording a .253 batting average in 2024 with a career-worst .380 slugging percentage.
While he was injured last season, he looked as healthy as an Olympic athlete in Spring Training. He was one of the Phillies’ most potent sluggers, hitting .375 with a 1.175 OPS in 50 plate appearances. The Phillies struggled with finding a steady offense from most of the outfield in 2024. If Kepler can aid the cause, the Phillies’ lineup could hit their stride in 2025.
Jesús Luzardo
Scouring the trade market, the Phillies found Jesús Luzardo from the Miami Marlins. In order to secure the 27-year-old lefty, the Phillies sent prospects Starlin Caba (the headliner) and Emaarion Boyd in the trade.
Luzardo follows the Phillies’ offseason theme as he, too, is coming off a season filled with injuries. He logged just 66.2 IP as a starter in 2024. A speed bump in his development, Luzardo seemed to be breaking out before the injury.
In 2022 and 2023, Luzardo had a 3.48 ERA in 50 starts for the Marlins, with a 10.6 K/9 rate. He started game 1 of the NL Wild Card series in 2023 against the Phils. When healthy, he can look like a beast on the mound with a fastball that averages close to 97 MPH. His addition makes their rotation look like one of the best in baseball.
Joe Ross
Right after trading for Jesús Luzardo, the Phillies added Joe Ross to the bullpen on a 1-year $4 million deal. Mostly a starter in his career, Ross found some success as a reliever with the Milwaukee Brewers down the stretch in 2024.
In 27 innings as a deliver, Ross recorded a 1.67 ERA and averaged a strikeout an inning. If needed, he could go multiple innings or even make a spot start for the Phillies.
Carlos Hernández
Just days before Opening Day, the Phillies claimed Carlos Hernández on waivers from the Kansas City Royals. Nudging out Tyler Phillips (who was later traded to the Marlins), Hernández became the last spot on the pitching staff for the Phillies.
Hernández has a fastball that averages 97.9 MPH, but he doesn’t have great control of it. He did have a good 30 innings out of the Royals’ pen in 2024 with a 3.30 ERA. He may be the odd man out when Ranger Suárez makes his return from the Injured List.
Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
