NEW YORK — After extended struggles, the Phillies have demoted reliever Orion Kerkering to triple A, the team announced on Sunday.
Read more Phoenixville will turn into ‘Gilmore Girls’ town Stars Hollow for one weekend
The Phillies will continue their wild-card pursuit without Kerkering, who has struggled significantly in the second half. In four appearances in September, he had an 18.68 ERA.
After getting knocked around for four runs in the eighth inning on Saturday, the Phillies reached a crossroads with the 25-year-old, who was unable to keep the Mets to a three-run deficit.
On Friday, he gave up a three-run homer to Juan Soto. Interim manager Don Mattingly said it was “hard to find spots” to use Kerkering.
In a corresponding move, Max Lazar was recalled from triple A.
The Phillies once viewed Kerkering as one of their top high-leverage arms with the potential to be a setup man for closer Jhoan Duran.
Read more The poorest in the U.S. can’t find housing even as low-income units sit empty
This marks the right-hander’s first time being optioned since he made his major league debut in September 2023.
Matt Klentak‘s fingerprints are still on the Phillies’ roster six years after he was the team’s general manager. These days, Klentak is part of the front office for the Brewers, who recently clinched their fourth consecutive NL Central title. With the Brewers coming to town Tuesday, Klentak joined Phillies Extra to discuss his current and former teams. Watch here.
You can also subscribe to the podcast version of Phillies Extra on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.
Previous episodes: Jeff Francoeur | Luke Murton | Mike Hazen | Tony Gwynn Jr. | Kevin Stocker | Bobby Dickerson | Jim Bowden | John Middleton | Ryan Howard | Dan Baker
Read more As tailors disappear, this Upper Bucks shop looks to a fifth generation