Time is running out for the Philadelphia Phillies to make some hard choices about who will make the Opening Day 26-man roster. They have six games remaining on their Grapefruit League schedule after Wednesday’s 9-7 loss to the New York Yankees at BayCare Ballpark. They’ll likely make their final moves to set their final roster by the end of the weekend, even if the official announcement doesn’t come until closer to their first regular season game on March 27.

One of the players hoping to be included in the Phillies’ plans when the team packs up to head north is veteran right-hander Nabil Crismatt. His chances of making the Opening Day roster just got a whole lot better after the team’s latest spring training roster cut. Before Wednesday’s game against the Yanks, the Phillies announced they had optioned right-hander Devin Sweet to begin the season in Triple-A Lehigh Valley.

Devin Sweet’s option just opened the door wide for Nabil Crismatt to take the final Opening Day bullpen job

Sweet, who is on the 40-man roster, came into camp with a solid opportunity to get a crack at the lone bullpen job opening. Unfortunately for Sweet, his performance this spring didn’t win him a chance to pitch in the big leagues to begin the year. The writing seemed to be on the wall after his last outing on Tuesday. Sweet blew a 2-0 lead in the ninth inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates and saw his ERA jump to 6.14.

With a 1.50 WHIP and four walks to six strikeouts in 7 1/3 relief innings, the Phillies had seen enough to rule him out of the running. His two minor league options made the decision easier, no doubt.

The Phillies acquired the 28-year-old in November from the Detroit Tigers for cash after he had posted some impressive strikeout numbers in Triple-A throughout his minor league career. He had 13.14 K/9 in Triple-A in 2024, but that was also accompanied by 4.50 BB/9, so command was an issue.

Crismatt is taking the ball and running with it

The move to option Sweet has seemingly thrust Crismatt to the front of the line. Since starting the Phillies’ first Grapefruit League game, he has posted a 2.35 ERA and .078 WHIP in 7 2/3 innings, allowing only five hits and one walk with seven strikeouts. Avoiding free passes is always a key to success out of the bullpen.

The 30-year-old journeyman has already pitched in the big leagues for four teams, with a 3.71 ERA in 177 innings of experience. Most recently, he had a 2.57 ERA and 1.00 WHIP in seven innings for the Los Angeles Dodgers last season but got squeezed out of their deep bullpen. He was going to leave shortly after camp began to pitch for Colombia in the World Baseball Classic qualifiers but ditched those plans with an eye on making the Phillies’ roster.

With Sweet gone, only four pitchers remain in major league camp who can take the Opening Day spot. Right-hander Kyle Tyler looks like Crismatt’s main competition, as he has thrown 7 2/3 scoreless innings. He’s on the 40-man roster, unlike Crismatt, but has a minor league option. Michael Mercado (8.10 ERA) can be optioned, while Tyler Phillips (8.38 ERA) seems to be on the outside looking in and will likely be sent through waivers.

Right now, it looks like the Opening Day bullpen job is Crismatt’s to lose.