Quite simply, the Philadelphia Phillies bullpen did not perform to expectations during the 2024 postseason.
New closer Jordan Romano will be looked upon to add stability and quality to the Phillies pen, and give the team a chance for greater bullpen strength in the playoffs.
But there is risk involved with Romano.
The injury risks are real.
Romano has a history of injury issues which have cost him time on big league mounds.
Romano has faced ulnar neuritis in his right elbow, back problems, and right elbow inflammation in recent seasons. He has had arthroscopic surgery for a right elbow impingement in the past.
More about that later.
The Phillies won the highly competitive National League East last year, with a record of 95-67, six games better than both the Atlanta Braves, and New York Mets.
The Phillies lost the 2024 National League Division Series to those same Mets, 3-1.
Actually, the Phillies bullpen was also ineffective in the 2023 National League Champion Series against the Arizona Diamondbacks. They lost that series, 4-3.
Phillies President of Baseball Operations, Dave Dombrowski, has seen his share of joy and heartache regarding bullpen construction in his years of front office service with the Chicago White Sox, Montreal Expos, Florida Marlins, Detroit Tigers, Boston Red Sox, and now, the Phillies.
31 MAY 2015: 2014 Toronto Blue Jays first round pick Jeff Hoffman delivers a pitch to the plate … [+] during the Florida State League game between the Tampa and the Dunedin Blue Jays at Florida Auto Exchange Stadium in Dunedin, Florida. (Photo by Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire/Corbis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Reshaping The Phillies Bullpen:
Dombrowski has reshaped the Phillies bullpen for the coming 2025 season.
Gone is right-handed reliever Jeff Hoffman, who signed a three-year, $3 million contract with the Toronto Blue Jays.
Hoffman made 68 appearances for Philadelphia last season, earning 13 saves. He threw 66.1 innings, with a 2.17 ERA, and 0.96 WHIP. Pretty solid.
Hoffman was a 1st round pick of the Blue Jays in 2014. Now he returns to where he began.
But right-hander Hoffman, 32, is a huge injury risk himself for Toronto. Reportedly, Hoffman failed a physical given by both the Atlanta Braves and Baltimore Orioles.
Hoffman has a barking shoulder, which could spell trouble for the Blue Jays.
That known, the Blue Jays still gave the 6-5, 235 pound Hoffman that three-year deal.
The Phillies will also be without right-hander, Carlos Estevez.
Estevez, 32, signed a two-year, $22 million contract with the Kansas City Royals, where he will become their closer.
Estevez saved six Phillies games. He made 20 appearances after coming over from the Los Angeles Dodgers in a July 27 trade.
CLEARWATER, FL – FEBRUARY 27: Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Jordan Romano (68) throws a pitch during … [+] a Spring Training game against the New York Yankees on February 27, 2025, at BayCare Ballpark in Clearwater, Florida. (Photo by Brian Spurlock/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
New Bullpen Arms:
Jordan Romano-RHP
In a bit of irony, the Phillies are now home to the Blue Jays former closer, Jordan Romano.
The Phillies signed Romano to a one-year, $8.5 million contract.
As indicated above, the right-handed Romano, 31, has a checkered injury past himself.
Last season, Romano was limited to 15 appearances due to a right elbow issue that required surgery.
It remains to be seen if Romano’s elbow will hold up under the stress and workload as the Phillies new closer.
Joe Ross-RHP
Joe Ross, 31, will pitch at the front end of the Phillies bullpen.
Ross signed a one-year, $4 million contract with the Phillies.
The right-handed Ross could eventually be a starter for the Phillies, but it looks like he will begin the season in the bullpen.
It appears Ross will assume the swingman starter/reliever role that was held last year by Spencer Turnbull.
Turnbull has an extensive injury history, and he remains an unsigned free agent.
Phillies 2025 Bullpen:
fangraphs.com lists the likely opening day bullpen for the Phillies this way:
Jordan Romano-RHP-closer
Orion Kerkering—RHP-set up late inning reliever
Jose Alvardo-LHP-middle innings reliever
Jose Ruiz-RHP-middle innings reliever
Tanner Banks-LHP-middle innings reliever
Joe Ross-RHP-middle innings reliever
Kyle Tyler-RHP-middle innings reliever
Taijuan Walker-RHP-long reliever
Note: Matt Strahm-LHP-set up late inning reliever is currently injured with shoulder inflammation.
Last year, Phillies relievers saved 37 games. Put in perspective, Ron Helsley of the St. Louis Cardinals saved 49 games himself.
CLEARWATER, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 27: Zack Wheeler #45 of the Philadelphia Phillies delivers a pitch in … [+] the first inning against the New York Yankees during a Grapefruit League spring training game at BayCare Ballpark on February 27, 2025 in Clearwater, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
Getty Images
The Phillies have an outstanding starting staff, which includes:
Zack Wheeler-RHP-Age 34
Christopher Sanchez-LHP-Age 28
Aaron Nola-RHP-Age 31
Ranger Suarez-LHP-Age 29
Jesus Luzardo-LHP-Age 27
The intriguing Luzardo came to the Phillies in a trade with the Miami Marlins.
Phillies starters can go deeply in games. Phillies hitters may be solid enough to put enough runs on the board to eliminate saves in games.
But, given his injury history, it remains to be seen if Jordan Romano can hold up as the team’s closer.
The bullpen situation will be made easier on Phillies manager Rob Thomson if his offense scores runs in bunches, negating the need to tax his pen.
Especially his new closer, Jordan Romano.
