The Opening Day pitching staff is likely set.

The Phillies on Sunday claimed right-handed reliever Carlos Hernandez off waivers from the Kansas City Royals. Tyler Phillips was designated for assignment to make room for Hernandez on the roster.

Hernandez, 28, had a 3.30 ERA in 27 games for Kansas City in 2024. He averaged 98 mph on his fastball last year, but has had trouble with command. He walked 11.4% of batters faced in 2024. In eight Cactus League games, Hernandez had a 6.97 ERA, with eight strikeouts and five walks. Of the eight earned runs he allowed in spring, four came during his first appearance. He recorded more than three outs in his last three outings, meaning he could be a multi-inning option for the Phillies.

He is another project for pitching coach Caleb Cotham. The Phillies have had some success in improving the strike-throwing abilities of flame throwers. The biggest success story so far is Jeff Hoffman. Hoffman, who signed a three-year deal with the Toronto Blue Jays during the offseason, originally joined the Phillies on a minor league deal near the start of 2023. He had trouble throwing strikes, and even struggled with limiting walks during his month with the IronPigs before joining the big league club. He showed enough to earn leverage opportunities, and quickly became one of the best relievers in baseball.

It doesn’t always work out. Yunior Marte, an up-and-down reliever for the Phillies over the last two years, had his share of ups and downs. He was never able to consistently throw strikes, or keep the balls that were strikes out of the middle of the plate. He is now pitching in Japan for the Chunichi Dragons of NPB.

The Phillies thought they had the next José Alvarado when they landed Gregory Soto in a trade with the Detroit Tigers prior to the 2023 season. Soto was traded to the Orioles after a disappointing year-and-a-half with the club.

Phillips, a South Jersey native, was out of minor league options and battling for one of the final bullpen spots. He pitched to a 1.80 ERA in his first four games with the Phillies in 2024, then got smoked over his last four games. After a six-run outing on Sept. 3 vs. the Blue Jays, the Phillies optioned Phillips to Triple-A Lehigh Valley as they opted to retain Taijuan Walker over him. If the Phillies had decided to cut Walker and retain Phillips’ last option, the Phillies would have been able to keep Phillips in the organization as a depth starter this year by optioning him to Lehigh Valley. He could still remain in the organization if he clears waivers and accepts an outright assignment.

Phillips has a 7.59 ERA this spring, though he has allowed just one run over his last three outings out of the bullpen.

Rob Thomson announced on Sunday that Matt Strahm will pitch in the Grapefruit League finale on Monday. He will make the Opening Day roster if he comes out healthy.

Barring another last-minute acquisition, here is what the Phillies’ Opening Day pitching staff will look like: