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Orion Kerkering Coming Off Injured List
The Philadelphia Phillies will activate right-handed reliever Orion Kerkering (hamstring) from the injured list on Tuesday, according to Todd Zolecki of MLB.com. In a corresponding move, the Phillies optioned left-hander Kyle Backhus to the minors after Monday's game. Kerkering will be making his 2026 debut after straining his right hamstring in spring training. The hard-throwing 25-year-old will return to a late-inning setup role for the Phils and can be useful for strikeouts and holds. In his third MLB season in 2025, Kerkering picked up his first four career saves while also posting a 3.30 ERA, 1.37 WHIP, and 65:27 K:BB in 60 innings out of the bullpen. Kerkering's strikeout rate has dropped in each of his three seasons in the big leagues, going from 42.9% in just three innings in 2023 to 24.4% last year in a career-high 69 appearances.
Source: MLB.com - Todd Zolecki
Source: MLB.com - Todd Zolecki
