The Philadelphia Phillies enter their second straight season after minimal offseason improvements to their roster. Once again, the outfield group is of particular concern. Nick Castellanos appears to be the only trusted full-time starter. Brandon Marsh, Johan Rojas and new addition Max Kepler are more suited for platoon roles.
Recently, Phillies manager Rob Thomson said that Rojas is recovering from an injured shoulder. The outfielder suffered the injury sliding into a base while playing Winter Ball in the Dominican Winter League. How concerning is the latest ailment to a Phillies outfielder?
Johan Rojas is recovering from a shoulder injury but will be fine
Thomson, who featured Rojas as a designated hitter in the spring training opener on Saturday and again on Tuesday, said, “He’s going to be fine,” according to MLB.com’s Todd Zolecki.
Johan Rojas banged up his right shoulder sliding into a base during Winter Ball, which is why he DH’d on Saturday. He will DH again tomorrow. He will start throwing in about a week.
“He’s going to be fine,” Rob Thomson said.
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Rojas, known more for his defensive skills, would improve the Phillies’ offensive production among their outfielders if he has a better season at the plate in 2025. The bottom part of the batting order would also receive a boost.
The center fielder’s shoulder injury will not limit him much longer. Rojas has an opportunity to rebound as a hitter this year. If he shows consistent production, Thomson may find it difficult to keep him out of the lineup. If Kepler or Marsh suffers an injury, the native of San Francisco de Macoris, Dominican Republic, will be leaned on more often in a thin position group.
Kepler will be Philadelphia’s starting left fielder but may be better off not playing regularly. He dealt with injuries in 2024 that limited him to 105 games. The Phillies are counting on the former Minnesota Twin to play a big role this year, but the outfield will be more of a concern if he’s not productive enough or unable to remain healthy.
Reserve utility player Weston Wilson, who had a good chance of winning the final bench spot and contributing to the outfield, suffered an injury. The 30-year-old is dealing with an oblique ailment incurred while taking swings in the batting cage during live batting practice on Feb. 21.
According to Corey Seidman of NBC Sports Philadelphia, the reserve outfielder has a Grade 2 strain of his left oblique. Wilson will be out for six weeks and won’t make the Phillies’ Opening Day roster.
In Wilson’s absence, Phillies reserve utility infielders Edmundo Sosa and Buddy Kennedy will see time in the outfield. Since he is already one of the club’s top bench players, Sosa has a better chance of seeing more reps in the outfield during spring training contests and possibly in the regular season.
While there will be further competition for the final bench spot following Wilson’s injury, Rojas will be able to begin throwing shortly. The Phillies have dodged a bullet, as a significant ailment to the center fielder would force the team to look to add an outfielder via trade or in free agency. President of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski still might add another player to improve depth at the position by the start of the regular season.
