RADIO
Brandon Marsh Likely to Be Limited to a Platoon Role in 2027
Philadelphia Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski described outfielder Brandon Marsh as a "platoon-type guy (who) hits right-handed pitching and he hasn't done very well versus left-handed pitching," per Charlotte Varnes and Matt Gelb of The Athletic. Marsh set career highs by appearing in 155 games and logging 568 plate appearances in 2026, slashing .260/.304/.408 with 18 home runs, 62 RBI, 71 runs scored, and 11 stolen bases. Marsh got off to an excellent start to the year, but he hit just .184 with three home runs across 205 plate appearances after the All-Star break. The 28-year-old has struggled to hit left-handed pitching throughout his time in the big leagues, posting a .588 OPS with a 38.1% strikeout rate across 603 career plate appearances against southpaws. While his combination of power and speed gives him some appeal in deeper fantasy leagues, Marsh's upside is limited if he does not see everyday playing time.
Source: The Athletic - Charlotte Varnes, Matt Gelb
Source: The Athletic - Charlotte Varnes, Matt Gelb
Justin Crawford Likely to Remain in a Platoon Role in 2027
Philadelphia Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski indicated that outfielder Justin Crawford is likely to remain in a platoon role in center field in 2027, per Charlotte Varnes and Matt Gelb of The Athletic. Across 465 plate appearances as a rookie in 2026, the 22-year-old hit .264/.309/.353 with three home runs, 41 RBI, 48 runs scored, and 17 stolen bases. The lefty-swinger lost playing time against same-handed pitching over the course of the season and ended the year with just a .603 OPS against southpaws. Crawford hit .334 and stole 46 bases across 506 Triple-A plate appearances in 2025, so he carries some speed and batting average upside for fantasy managers. However, his fantasy value is limited if he cannot max out playing time and fully unlock his speed.
Source: The Athletic - Charlotte Varnes, Matt Gelb
Source: The Athletic - Charlotte Varnes, Matt Gelb
Kyle Schwarber to See More Time at First Base in 2027
The Philadelphia Phillies are planning for outfielder/designated hitter Kyle Schwarber to work at first base in spring training and play around 30 games there during the season, according to The Athletic's Matt Gelb and Charlotte Varnes. In the games that Schwarber is at first base, Bryce Harper will serve as the DH. Harper played in all 162 regular-season games in 2026, but he dealt with nagging pain at times after moving to the outfield in the second half. Schwarber appeared at first base only eight times in 2026, starting six games there. If the Phillies follow through with their plan to use the 33-year-old left-handed slugger more at first base, he will add first base eligibility to his fantasy profile, making him even more attractive for his elite power. In his 12th year in the majors in 2026 (fifth with the Phillies), Schwarber continued to be a force to be reckoned with, leading the league with 45 home runs while also leading the league with 220 strikeouts. He had a .232/.354/.503 slash line with an .857 OPS, 97 RBI, 95 runs scored, and three steals in 156 regular-season games played.
Source: The Athletic - Matt Gelb, Charlotte Varnes
Source: The Athletic - Matt Gelb, Charlotte Varnes
Don Mattingly To Manage Phillies For Two More Years
The Philadelphia Phillies have announced a new two-year deal for former interim manager Don Mattingly to manage the team in 2027 and 2028, according to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com. The Phillies bowed out of the playoffs this year in the National League wild-card series against the Atlanta Braves, although they did come back to force a decisive Game 3. The Phillies will look to Mattingly to help them break through in the playoffs, as the team is largely talented both hitting-wise and on the mound.
Source: Mark Feinsand, MLB.com
Source: Mark Feinsand, MLB.com
Brandon Marsh Losing Playing Time Amidst Second-Half Slump
Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Brandon Marsh has had a solid season overall in 2026, hitting .271/.318/.426 with 17 home runs, 57 RBI, 67 runs scored, and 11 stolen bases across 511 plate appearances. However, the 28-year-old has run into a rough patch of late. After hitting .301 with 15 homers across 363 plate appearances in the first half of the season, Marsh has hit just .195 with two long balls across 148 trips to the plate since the All-Star break. The lefty-swinging Marsh has also been significantly worse against same-handed pitching this season, posting a .624 OPS with a 36.9% strikeout rate against southpaws. If his overall struggles persist, Marsh could continue to lose playing time against left-handed starting pitching. Fantasy managers should monitor Marsh closely as we hit the final month of the regular season.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Bryce Harper Expected to Move to the Outfield
Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper is expected to move back to the outfield to make room for recently acquired infielder Luis Arraez, according to Todd Zolecki of MLB.com. Alec Bohm is set to move to first base, with Bryson Stott moving from second to third. Harper will move back to right field, a position he hasn't played since 2022. For fantasy purposes, it will definitely put more strain on the 33-year-old veteran physically, but he will also be gaining outfield eligibility to close out the 2026 season and for next year. The two-time MVP and nine-time All-Star heads into the new week slashing .255/.360/.497 on the year with an .858 OPS, 23 home runs, 66 RBI, 67 runs scored, and six stolen bases in 112 games across 472 plate appearances in his eighth year with the Phillies. Fantasy managers are hoping the move to the outfield will help Harper get back on track offensively, as he hit just .172 (15-for-87) with a .625 OPS, two homers, six doubles, a triple, 11 RBI, nine runs, 14 walks, and 31 strikeouts in 24 games in July, easily his worst month of the season so far.
Source: MLB.com - Todd Zolecki
Source: MLB.com - Todd Zolecki
Kyle Schwarber Missing Second Game With Illness
Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Kyle Schwarber (illness) is out of the starting lineup for the second straight day due to gastrointestinal issues on Wednesday versus the division-rival Miami Marlins, per MLB.com. Shortstop Trea Turner will serve as the designated hitter and bat leadoff, with Edmundo Sosa playing shortstop and hitting out of the nine-hole against Marlins right-hander Ryan Gusto. Schwarber is dealing with a similar illness that kept him out for a series earlier this year, so hopefully he'll be back for Friday's series opener in Baltimore against the Orioles after the Phillies' scheduled day off on Thursday. The 33-year-old four-time All-Star leads the league in home runs (33) and strikeouts (157). He's an elite source of power from the left side, even though he has an elevated 34.4% strikeout rate in 457 plate appearances this year. Since taking part in the Home Run Derby during the All-Star break earlier this month, Schwarbs has gone just 8-for-35 (.229) with a homer, three doubles, three RBI, six runs, six walks, and 13 strikeouts.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Kyle Schwarber Out With Gastrointestinal Issue on Tuesday
Philadelphia Phillies All-Star outfielder Kyle Schwarber (illness) is out of Tuesday's lineup against the division-rival Miami Marlins due to a gastrointestinal issue that is similar to something he dealt with earlier this year, according to Matt Gelb of The Athletic. The Phillies are hoping Schwarber will only be out for a day or two. With Schwarber under the weather on Tuesday, first baseman Bryce Harper is serving as the designated hitter and is batting third, with Alec Bohm playing first base and hitting cleanup against Marlins right-hander Sandy Alcantara. Edmundo Sosa is at the hot corner and is batting sixth for the Phils. The 33-year-old Schwarber is a must-start fantasy asset when he's healthy for his elite power from the left side of the plate and his high on-base percentage despite striking out 34.4% of the time. Going into Tuesday's action, Schwarbs still leads baseball in both home runs (33) and strikeouts (157) in 103 games across 457 plate appearances. He's carrying a modest five-game hitting streak right now that has seen him go 6-for-18 with two doubles, an RBI, and four runs scored.
Source: The Athletic - Matt Gelb
Source: The Athletic - Matt Gelb
Kyle Schwarber to Participate in Home Run Derby on Monday
Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Kyle Schwarber will officially participate in this year's Home Run Derby to kick off All-Star week on Monday, according to MLB. Schwarber will join teammate Bryce Harper in front of the home faithful at Citizens Bank Park, joining Junior Caminero, Ben Rice, Willson Contreras, and Jac Caglianone. The 33-year-old three-time All-Star and former Silver Slugger winner is an easy choice for the Derby, as he currently leads all of baseball with 32 round-trippers through 338 at-bats in 2026. Schwarbs also leads the league with 140 strikeouts in 90 games across 401 plate appearances while slashing .254/.369/.571 with a .940 OPS, 58 RBI, 57 runs scored, and two stolen bases in his 12th year in the big leagues and fifth with the Phillies. Despite his elevated 34.9% strikeout rate, Schwarbs has continued to get on base at a high clip and hit the ball hard 54% of the time when he makes contact. He has homered twice in his last three games and is batting .250 (14-for-56) with three homers, six RBI, six runs, and a steal in 16 games since June 22.
Source: MLB
Source: MLB
Brandon Marsh Continues Power Binge With Two More Homers on Monday
Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Brandon Marsh has been flexing his muscles all month, and that continued in Monday night's 11-7 loss to the visiting Pittsburgh Pirates at Citizens Bank Park. Marsh went 2-for-5 at the plate with two home runs and also struck out three times in the contest. The 28-year-old left-handed-hitting outfielder is now up to 14 homers on the season -- he's just three home runs shy of a new career high -- and he's up to a whopping nine round-trippers in June. In addition to his 14 homers, Marsh has 44 RBI in 80 games played and has become a must-add off the waiver wire for fantasy managers seeking more pop in their lineup. The former second-round selection by the Los Angeles Angels in 2016 came into Monday's contest against Pittsburgh with a .321/.353/.510 slash line, .863 OPS, 12 homers, 42 RBI, 46 runs scored, and eight stolen bases. Fantasy managers should expect some regression since he's basically playing every day and being exposed to more left-handed pitchers, but regardless, he's now rostered in nearly 80% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Kyle Schwarber Returns From Back Injury on Thursday
Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Kyle Schwarber (back) is serving as the team's designated hitter and is batting in the two-hole for Thursday's contest in D.C. against the division-rival Washington Nationals and right-hander Cade Cavalli, according to MLB.com. Lower-back tightness kept Schwarber out of the Phillies' starting lineup for the last two games, but the All-Star slugger is now back and should be returned to all starting lineups in traditional fantasy leagues. The 33-year-old three-time All-Star and Silver Slugger winner currently leads all of baseball with 29 home runs while slashing .252/.367/.594 with a .961 OPS, 52 RBI, 51 runs scored, and a stolen base in 76 games across 338 plate appearances. Schwarbs has clubbed four home runs in his last four games (three homers last Saturday) and is hitting .306 (22-for-72) with seven long balls, 13 RBI, and 15 runs scored in 20 games so far in June. He still has plenty of swing and miss to his game, but it's all worth it for the elite raw power that he provides from the left side of the plate. Schwarber has hit .167 with one RBI and a .777 OPS in six career at-bats versus Cavalli.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Kyle Schwarber Missing a Second Straight Game With Back Injury
Philadelphia Phillies outfielder/designated hitter Kyle Schwarber (back) is sitting out of Wednesday's game against the division-rival Washington Nationals for the second straight game due to a back issue, according to MLB.com. First baseman Bryce Harper will serve as the DH and bat third, with Alec Bohm starting at first base and batting cleanup, and Edmundo Sosa manning third and batting eighth against Nationals right-hander Miles Mikolas. Schwarber, MLB's leader in home runs with 29, was scratched from Tuesday's lineup with lower-back tightness, and he'll miss a second straight game. As of right now, the elite left-handed power hitter is being considered day-to-day, but that could change quickly if Schwarbs is unable to return to Philly's lineup by this weekend. His next chance to return will be for Thursday's series finale in D.C. against the Nats. The 33-year-old veteran has been on a heater of late, going 7-for-23 (.304) with five home runs, 10 RBI, and nine runs scored in his last six games. Fantasy managers should check back on Schwarber's condition on Thursday.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Adolis Garcia Undergoes Successful Lat Surgery
The Philadelphia Phillies said on Wednesday that outfielder Adolis Garcia (lat) underwent successful surgery to fix his torn right lat in Chicago, according to Lochlahn March of The Philadelphia Inquirer. Garcia is facing a recovery time of six to eight months, so he will miss the rest of the 2026 season. The 33-year-old Cuban right-handed slugger should have ample time to be ready for the start of the 2027 campaign, but the damage has been done to his fantasy profile. Before suffering a season-ending torn lat, Garcia was struggling in Philly to the tune of a .195/.270/.329 slash line, .599 OPS, seven home runs, 21 RBI, 21 runs scored, three stolen bases, 21 walks, and 84 strikeouts in 67 games across 259 plate appearances. The two-time All-Star has not been the same since he hit a career-best 39 home runs and drove in 107 runs in 2023 with the Texas Rangers on his way to leading them to their first World Series title. There probably isn't going to be a ton of interest in a fading power hitter coming off a serious injury when he hits the open market this winter.
Source: The Philadelphia Inquirer - Lochlahn March
Source: The Philadelphia Inquirer - Lochlahn March
Edmundo Sosa Drives in Five on Tuesday, Set for More Playing Time?
Philadelphia Phillies infielder/outfielder Edmundo Sosa had a big game near the bottom of the team's batting order in Tuesday's 14-9 win over the hosting Washington Nationals, going 2-for-5 at the plate with a home run, a double, a career-high five RBI, two runs scored, and two strikeouts. Sosa wasn't originally in the Phillies' starting lineup for this one, but he was inserted late as the designated hitter after All-Star slugger Kyle Schwarber was scratched due to back tightness. The 30-year-old veteran utility man took advantage with a big game in the Phillies' win. Sosa hasn't played much in June, but when he has played, he's been solid, going 11-for-36 (.306) with two home runs, two doubles, a triple, eight RBI, and six runs scored. In 126 at-bats in 2026 as a bench player for Philly, Sosa is slashing .238/.274/.413 with five long balls, 24 RBI, 17 runs, and two stolen bases. If Schwarber's back injury sends him to the injured list, Sosa could be a lineup regular for the Phillies as they head into the All-Star break next month. Sosa is currently rostered in only 1% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Kyle Schwarber Scratched on Tuesday With Back Tightness
Philadelphia Phillies All-Star outfielder/designated hitter Kyle Schwarber (back) was scratched from Tuesday night's lineup on the road against the division-rival Washington Nationals with tightness in his lower back, according to Lochlahn March of The Philadelphia Inquirer. Utility infielder Edmundo Sosa is serving as the DH for the Philis and is batting eighth in the order against Nationals left-hander PJ Poulin. For now, we'll consider Schwarber, the MLB leader in home runs with 29, to be day-to-day until further notice. Losing the 33-year-old three-time All-Star for an extended period of time would be devastating to the Phillies and fantasy managers alike. Check back on Wednesday to see if Schwarber is feeling good enough to return to the starting nine. Schwarber hit three homers on Saturday against the division-rival New York Mets (two in one inning) and continues to be the cream of the crop in fantasy when it comes to power. In addition to leading the league in homers, Schwarbs also leads in strikeouts (115), slugging percentage .594, and total bases (170) in his 75 games across 337 plate appearances. He's been outstanding in June, going 22-for-72 (.306) with seven long balls, 13 RBI, and 15 runs scored.
Source: The Philadelphia Inquirer - Lochlahn March
Source: The Philadelphia Inquirer - Lochlahn March
