Mar 8, 2025; Clearwater, Florida, USA; Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Brandon Marsh (16) reaches third base against the Toronto Blue Jays in the second inning during spring training at BayCare Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images Nathan Ray Seebeck
CLEARWATER, Fla. - The Phillies are a left-heavy lineup. They know it. Every other team in baseball knows it.
But it's not going to change the Phillies approach.
Rob Thomson said he won't let the fact that the Washington Nationals have announced lefty MacKenzie Gore as their starter for Opening Day impact who he pencils into his lineup next Thursday afternoon.
"I'm not going to announce the lineup, but I expect those guys will play Opening Day," Thomson said of his five left-handed hitters.
Obviously Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber are going to be in the lineup, but Thomson frequently platooned Bryson Stott and Brandon Marsh against lefties a season ago and new addition Max Kepler doesn't have a great track record against left-handed pitching.
But, there are a few reasons at play here as to why the Phillies will go lefty-heavy against Gore.
"With Stott being healthy, he's putting together really good at bats against both lefthanders and righthanders," Thomson said. "Marsh has had good at bats against lefthanded pitching and Kepler has too."
The Bryson Stott bounceback season is loading… pic.twitter.com/gyyd1UeUzP
Thomson said he expects a lot of teams to line up lefties against them this season because of how lefty-heavy the Phillies are.
Johan Rojas has yet to play the field this spring, as he recovers from a shoulder injury suffered in winter ball.
He's been DHing a lot - and looking surprisingly good at the plate - but he hasn't really thrown the ball - until Monday.
Johan Rojas hits a Two-Run Home Run off of Carlos Rodon! pic.twitter.com/R2AJlugcd6
Rojas threw to bases early Monday and the plan is for him to do it again on Wednesday. If he comes out of that without issues, he will likely get a few games in toward the end of the camp in the field.
As for his playing time once the season roles around, the plan is to try to get him two starts per week.
"Early in the season it's going to be tough to play everybody every day," Thomson said. "There's a chance where you give Marsh a day and Rojas plays center or you give Kepler a day and Rojas plays center and Marsh plays left just to get them off their feet, but I'm going to push these guys against left-handed pitching."
Turns out the two guys who got banged up Sunday in Sarasota are closer to returning than Alec Bohm, who fouled a ball off his foot on Saturday.
Marsh (left knee contusion) will return to the lineup in Bradenton on Tuesday after sitting out Monday's game. Kepler (left lower back contusion) is also likely to play Tuesday, he just wants to come in early in Clearwater and take some swings in the batting cage to make sure he feels all right before attempting to play.
Bohm, who was pretty gimpy on Saturday and left the game early, had a scheduled day off on Sunday but was originally supposed to play Monday, but wasn't in the lineup and was replaced by Buddy Kennedy.
Thomson said they are going to keep him out of action on Tuesday as well.
Matt Strahm threw on flat ground again on Monday from 90 feet and signs are pointing upward for his return. He may get some mound work in as soon as Wednesday.
Now that we know Zack Wheeler is starting Opening Day, it appears the rotation is lining up for Jesus Luzardo to start the second game on Saturday and Aaron Nola to pitch the finale in Washington on Sunday.
Nola threw 79 pitches in his next-to-last tune up before the regular season in a 4-2 Phillies win over the Toronto Blue Jays Monday.
Nola allowed three hits and two runs - on two solo homers - in 4 2/3 innings. He struck out five and walked three.
His curve ball and change up were good, but his fastball command was a little off.
Rainer Nunez just went dead center off Aaron Nola
Bro also has this stat line so far in Spring:
.471/.526/.706
1.232 OPS
1 HR
6 RBI
8 H
pic.twitter.com/HoiT0OlYH1
Cristopher Sanchez is scheduled to pitch in Bradenton on Tuesday. That keeps him in line for the home opener against Colorado in two weeks. Ranger Suarez, presumably, would follow him on April 2.
Thomson wouldn't confirm this order - saying he still needs to talk to the pitchers - but if you do the math based on the order they are pitching in Spring Training, it isn't hard to figure it out.
The one thing Thomson would say is he wouldn't let two early off days - one after Opening Day and one after the home opener - impact the rotation.
"Not at this point," he said. "I mean, it could change, but I think whoever our five guys are, I think I'd like to get them out there and get going."
Nick Castellanos asked Thomson if he could go to Bradenton on Tuesday and get some more swings, and Thomson obliged. Castellanos will DH on Tuesday.
It was originally supposed to be an off day for Castellanos, but he's had a rough spring to this point.
Castellanos is just 3-for-27 (.111) with two walks and 11 strikeouts this spring. He lost nearly a week of playing time because he was sick, and he wants to try and catch up and get his timing down before the regular season begins.
Andrew Painter, who threw his first live batting practice to Bohm, Stott, and Marsh on Friday morning, will throw a bullpen session on Wednesday and is scheduled for his next live BP on Friday.
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