Orion Kerkering

Fantasy News

• Phillies' Orion Kerkering: Getting back on mound Saturday

  Rotowire Feb 27, 2026

  Kerkering (hamstring) will throw a bullpen session Saturday, Charlotte Varnes of The Athletic reports. It will be his first time throwing off a mound since he suffered a Grade 1 hamstring strain. If things go well Saturday, Kerkering would likely then progress to facing hitters before appearing in a game. The right-handed reliever has plenty of time to ramp up for Opening Day, barring setbacks.

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• Phillies' Orion Kerkering: On mend from hamstring strain

  Rotowire Feb 11, 2026

  The Phillies announced Wednesday that Kerkering will be delayed at the start of spring training while he recovers from a Grade 1 hamstring strain, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports. Kerkering will be limited to rehab work in the early stages of camp, but because he's typically deployed as a one-inning reliever, he won't need much ramp-up time once he's cleared to get back on a mound. The hard-throwing right-hander hasn't quite developed into the reliable high-leverage option the Phillies envisioned when he first reached the big leagues in 2023, but he'll be a key part of the bridge to closer Jhoan Duran in 2026.

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• Phillies' Orion Kerkering: Picks up fourth save

  Rotowire Aug 24, 2025

  Kerkering earned the save in Sunday's 3-2 win over the Nationals, allowing one run on one hit and no walks with one strikeout in the ninth inning. With Jhoan Duran unavailable after pitching on back-to-back days, Kerkering was called on in the ninth and closed the door despite surrendering a solo homer. The 24-year-old now owns a 2.92 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 51:21 K:BB to go along with 19 holds and four saves across 49.1 innings this season.

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• Phillies' Orion Kerkering: Notches rare save

  Rotowire Aug 11, 2025

  Kerkering picked up the save in Monday's 4-1 win against the Reds, pitching a clean inning with one strikeout. The Philadelphia righty smoothly collected his first save since June 19 in this 10-pitch outing. The Phillies' usual closer, Jhoan Duran, did not appear in Monday's contest after pitching consecutive games on Saturday and Sunday. Kerkering is likely the preferred backup saves option to Duran, as Jordan Romano pitched the seventh Monday (and collected the win) while David Robertson handled the eighth. Across 44.2 total innings, Kerkering sports a 2.62 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 47:19 K:BB while tallying three saves.

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• Phillies' Orion Kerkering: Back to handling setup role

  Rotowire Aug 11, 2025

  Kerkering picked up a hold Sunday against the Rangers after allowing one hit and no walks with no strikeouts in a scoreless eighth inning. After working his way into the closing picture for a brief stretch amidst Jordan Romano's struggles, Kekering has since reverted back to his role as a setup man for new closer Jhoan Duran. Kerkering has been very effective at preventing runs, posting a 1.67 ERA and 35:13 K:BB over 32.1 innings since the beginning of May, and he should continue to work in high-leverage spots for the Phillies.

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• Phillies' Orion Kerkering: Moves past apparent injury

  Rotowire Jul 9, 2025

  Phillies manager Rob Thomson said that Kerkering was unavailable to pitch in Tuesday's 4-3 loss to the Giants due to soreness but is available Wednesday, Lochlahn March of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports. Kerkering might have gotten a save chance had he been available Tuesday. Instead, the Phillies turned to Jordan Romano, who gave up three runs in the ninth inning to take a blown save and loss. The source of Kerkering's soreness isn't known, but he will evidently be ready Wednesday, if needed. Kerkering has notched two saves for the Phillies this season.

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• Phillies' Orion Kerkering: Collects first save

  Rotowire Jun 16, 2025

  Kerkering secured the save in Monday's 5-2 win at Miami, pitching a clean inning with one strikeout. The 24-year-old required just 12 pitches, nine of which were strikes, to pick up his first save of the season. Kerkering has now made 16 consecutive appearances without allowing an earned run, a span during which he's tossed 14.1 innings with a 13:7 K:BB. Jordan Romano, the Philadelphia saves leader, pitched in the seventh inning, while Matt Strahm, who secured the save Saturday, pitched in the eighth of Monday's contest. If Phillies manager Rob Thomson is trending towards employing a closer committee, Kerkering, with his 2.54 ERA across 28.1 total innings, could be in line for more save opportunities.

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• Phillies' Orion Kerkering: Excellent stretch continues in win

  Rotowire Jun 14, 2025

  Kerkering (5-2) threw a clean eighth inning in Saturday's 3-2 victory over the Blue Jays, striking out one while earning the win. Kerkering has been excellent in relief for over a month now -- he last conceded an earned run back on May 6. The 24-year-old right-hander's streak of no earned runs is up to 13.1 innings, during which he owns a 1.20 WHIP and 12:7 K:BB. It was interesting to see the Phillies bypass presumed closer Jordan Romano in a save opportunity in favor of left-hander Matt Strahm on Saturday, which suggests the club may have an unclear bullpen hierarchy that could also leave the door open for Kerkering to work his way into the mix.

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• Phillies' Orion Kerkering: Opening Saturday's contest

  Rotowire Aug 3, 2024

  Kerkering will serve as the Philles' opening pitcher for Saturday's game against the Mariners, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports. Kerkering has opened a game once already this season, during which he posted a scoreless inning against the Athletics. He'll now be asked to do the same versus Seattle, giving bulk reliever Kolby Allard one less matchup against the Mariners' top three hitters.

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• Phillies' Orion Kerkering: Will be activated Sunday

  Rotowire Apr 13, 2024

  Kerkering (forearm) will be activated from the injured list before Sunday's game versus the Pirates, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports. Kerkering got a late start to the season due to illness and a right forearm strain, but he looked sharp on his rehab assignment with a 10:0 K:BB over 4.1 shutout innings. The 23-year-old might be eased into high-leverage situations, but it shouldn't be long before he's one of the Phillies' most trusted relievers.

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• Phillies' Orion Kerkering: Likely back this weekend

  Rotowire Apr 9, 2024

  Kerkering (forearm/illness) will make two more rehab appearances with Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Tuesday and Thursday before being activated from the 15-day injured list, Luke Arcaini of 102.5 FM Philadelphia reports. Assuming he comes out of those outings with no issues, Kerkering should rejoin the Phillies bullpen when they return home this weekend for the start of a 10-game homestand. Kerkering has been out all season with a right forearm strain and an illness. He'll eventually be in line for high-leverage appearances, but it's possible the Phillies will ease him into those situations.

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• Phillies' Orion Kerkering: Beginning rehab assignment

  Rotowire Mar 30, 2024

  Kerkering (forearm/illness) will begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Saturday. Kerkering is officially on the 15-day IL with a right forearm strain, but his rehab assignment will build him back up after he missed most of the Grapefruit League schedule due to a bad case of the flu. As a reliever, the 22-year-old righty shouldn't take long to prepare for a return to Philadelphia's bullpen, so he could be able to come off the IL when eligible April 9.

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• Phillies' Orion Kerkering: Will begin season on IL

  Rotowire Mar 23, 2024

  Manager Rob Thomson said Saturday that Kerkering (illness) will begin the regular season on the 15-day injured list, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports. Kerkering hasn't pitched in a Grapefruit League game since March 1 due to a bout with the flu, and though he's starting to make progress in his recovery, he missed too much time in camp to put himself in position to make the Opening Day roster. A long-term absence isn't expected, but the Phillies likely won't want to rush the 22-year-old right-hander back after he went over three weeks without pitching. He'll first be eligible to return from the IL on April 9.

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