Phillies' Matt Strahm: Won't pitch due to fingernail issue
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Strahm (shoulder) will not make a scheduled Grapefruit League appearance Monday versus the Rays due to left middle fingernail irritation, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.
The issue is not believed to be serious, and Strahm remains on track to be ready for the Phillies' season opener Thursday versus the Nationals. The left-handed reliever has made just two Grapefruit League appearances this spring due to a shoulder impingement that's caused inflammation, but he's been throwing lately without any problems with the shoulder.
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Phillies' Matt Strahm: Pitching in minors game Saturday
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Strahm (shoulder) will pitch in a minor-league game Saturday, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.
If that goes well, he will pitch in the Phillies' Grapefruit League finale Monday, setting him up to be ready to go for Opening Day. Strahm's last game appearance came on March 5, as he's been shelved by a left shoulder impingement that's caused inflammation.
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Phillies' Matt Strahm: Throwing bullpen session
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Strahm (shoulder) threw a bullpen session Wednesday, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.
Strahm's last Grapefruit League appearance was back on March 5, as he's been working his way back from a left shoulder impingement. The southpaw could still have time to get ready for Opening Day if things break right, but it's not a guarantee.
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Phillies' Matt Strahm: Throwing from 75 feet
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Strahm (shoulder) began playing catch from 75 feet Saturday, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.
Strahm said he no longer has any pain in his left shoulder, and he was cleared to begin throwing after visiting a doctor Saturday. He's set to extend his throwing distance Sunday, but it's still unclear if he'll have enough time to build up to game readiness before Opening Day.
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Phillies' Matt Strahm: Re-evaluation coming Saturday
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Strahm (shoulder) will be evaluated again by a doctor Saturday, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.
Manager Rob Thomson noted that Strahm is feeling better since being diagnosed with a left shoulder impingement Tuesday, but it appears the Phillies are going to postpone his throwing program another couple of days. Even if he's cleared to resume throwing this weekend, the fact he's been shut down for nearly a week could still affect his availability for Opening Day.
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Phillies' Matt Strahm: Uncertain for Opening Day
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Strahm will be shut down until at least Thursday and is uncertain for Opening Day due to an impingement in his left shoulder that's caused inflammation, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.
The good news is an MRI on Strahm's shoulder came back negative. He will be re-examined Thursday by the Phillies team doctor, at which point it will be determined whether he's able to resume a throwing program. The Phillies should have a good idea at that time whether Strahm will have a chance to be ready in time for Opening Day. The southpaw was one of the best relievers in baseball last season, collecting a 1.87 ERA, 0.75 WHIP and 79:11 K:BB over 62.2 regular-season frames.
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Phillies' Matt Strahm: Managing sore shoulder
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Manager Rob Thomson said Sunday that Strahm is dealing with a bit of left shoulder soreness and that the club will "back him off for a few days," Paul Casella of MLB.com reports.
Strahm's last Grapefruit League action came Wednesday, and he showcased some diminished velocity while giving up four runs across two-thirds of an inning. Thomson indicated that medical imaging came back clean, so the left-hander could be back on the mound in the near future.
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Phillies' Matt Strahm: Roughed up in spring outing
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Strahm recorded two outs in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Tigers, giving up four runs on two hits and two walks while striking out one.
While Jordan Romano is the early favorite for saves after signing in December, the situation isn't fully settled given Philadelphia's propensity to mix-and-match the ninth inning. Strahm has now allowed six runs in 1.2 frames this spring, which isn't going to help his cause as a candidate for ninth-inning work as he looks to cement his status as Philadelphia's top left-handed bullpen option over Jose Alvarado. Strahm is still likely to begin the campaign as a high-leverage arm after boasting a 1.87 ERA, 0.75 WHIP and 79:11 K:BB over 62.2 frames a year ago, and he could be worth a late-round flier given his strikeout upside, especially in leagues that count holds.
Strahm picked up the save Thursday, tossing a perfect ninth inning with one strikeout against the Marlins.
Strahm needed just 10 pitches to lock down his second save in three games and third of the season, getting the call Thursday with a couple of lefties due up for the Marlins. For the season, he maintains a 2.14 ERA and 0.82 WHIP with 69 strikeouts through 54.2 innings.
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Phillies' Matt Strahm: Collects second save
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Strahm struck out two and gave up a solo home run to Leo Jimenez in the ninth inning Tuesday to record his second save of the season in a 10-9 win over the Blue Jays.
Carlos Estevez and Jeff Hoffman have each seen a heavy workload lately, while Jose Alvarado and Orion Kerkering had been called upon earlier in the night, so closing duties fell to Strahm. Since the beginning of August, the southpaw has a 1.42 ERA, 0.71 WHIP and 14:3 K:BB through 12.2 innings while collecting one save, two wins and five holds in 13 appearances, but the Phillies' wealth of high-leverage options won't afford Strahm many more save chances down the stretch.
Strahm signed a one-year extension with the Phillies on Sunday that includes a club option or vesting option for the 2026 season.
Strahm is entering the second season of the two-year, $15 million deal he signed with Philadelphia in December 2022, but he won't reach free agency next offseason after he and the Phillies agreed to tack on another year to his deal. According to Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer, Strahm will earn $7.5 million in 2025 as part of the extension, while the option for 2026 vests for $7.5 million if he covers at least 60 innings in 2025. After making nine of his first 18 appearances as a starter last season, the 32-year-old transitioned into a full-time relief role in mid-June and posted a 2.53 ERA and 52:8 K:BB over his final 42.2 innings. He'll be trusted to serve as a high-leverage, multi-inning arm out of the Philadelphia bullpen once again during the upcoming season.
Phillies' Matt Strahm: Secures first postseason save
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Strahm pitched a scoreless inning to close out the save in Thursday's 3-1 win over Atlanta in Game 4 of the NLDS. He struck out one.
Strahm was called into the game in an nontraditional spot -- the team has been relying on Craig Kimbrel in the ninth inning during the postseason, but Kimbrel was needed earlier in the game against Atlanta's key right-handers. Strahm took over for Gregory Soto with runners on first and third, but the added pressure was no issue, as Strahm put away the side to earn his first career save in the postseason. For his playoff career, the southpaw has a 5.79 ERA and 2.57 WHIP with three strikeouts across 4.2 innings. He will once again be a key part of the bullpen against the Diamondbacks in the NLCS next week.
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