The Philadelphia Phillies could be without an All-Star pitcher to begin the 2025 Major League Baseball season.
Phillies insider Scott Lauber of the Philadelphia Inquirer predicts the Phillies will start the year with Matt Strahm on the IL. The reliever hasn’t pitched in a game since March 5 because of inflammation in his left shoulder, and Lauber expects him to need an IL stint to begin the year.
“If the Phillies decide Strahm needs additional time, they could backdate his placement on the 15-day injured list to March 24, causing him to miss as few as nine games and be activated in time for an April 8-10 series in Atlanta,” Lauber wrote. “In that case, the Phillies would need a placeholder. Devin Sweet and Kyle Tyler are on the 40-man roster and have minor-league options… Prediction: Tyler. It’s the path of least resistance for a short-term need.”
As Lauber writes, he predicts Strahm will need an IL stint. However, the reliever who was an All-Star in 2024 is expected to throw from a bullpen mound on March 19, but it’s uncertain if he will get into any spring training games.
The reliever is confident he will be ready for Opening Day, despite the shoulder injury.
“I’ll be ready,” Strahm said, “but it’s up to them.”
Strahm went 6-2 with a 2.87 ERA in 66 games including three saves with the Phillies in 2024. He’s set to earn $7.5 million in 2025 with Philadelphia holding a club option for the 2026 season.
Philadelphia will open their 2025 MLB season on the road against the Washington Nationals on March 27.
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