Phillies to demote Orion Kerkering to Triple-A

The 25-year-old hurler has been in a funk since the All-Star break, posting a horrific 9.90 ERA, 2.05 WHIP and a 21/14 K/BB ratio over 20 innings in 23 appearances. He’ll attempt to work through his issues on the minor league side for the time being and could potentially resurface for the postseason. Max Lazar was recalled in a corresponding move on Sunday.

Kerkering entered in the eighth inning with the Phillies holding a 4-1 lead, so even though Philadelphia scored a run in the ninth, he still gets the save. It’s the second save of the year for the 25-year-old, and there’s a decent chance it’ll be the last.

Jhoan Duran worked a save on Thursday night and wasn’t used in a tied game in the bottom of the ninth, but as the Phillies tacked on a three-spot in the top of the 10th, they opted to turn it over to Kerekeing in the bottom of the inning. The reliever now has a 2.20 ERA and has allowed just one run in seven appearances in May. He’s not anywhere near the saves or holds pecking order right now, but he’s pitching well enough that he could be interesting if enough fell his way in the latter part of the season.

At this point, someone should probably encase Mason Miller in bubble wrap. It’s been a brutal start to the season for elite closers, with Duran the latest to hit the injured list. The hard-throwing 28-year-old stopper is likely facing a multi-week absence, even in a best-case scenario, after logging five saves to accompany a microscopic 1.35 ERA across 6 2/3 innings of work this season. There should be an official timeline from the Phillies at some point soon. Orion Kerkering has the stuff to close games and José Alvarado’s previous closing experience make him a potential option in certain matchups. However, Brad Keller is the logical choice to take over the ninth inning in Philadelphia, which makes him worthy of a roster spot in all fantasy leagues.

The move is now official. Kerkering rejoins Philadelphia’s bullpen after missing a couple weeks with a hamstring strain. The 25-year-old high-leverage arm posted a strong 3.30 ERA across 60 innings last year before committing an NLDS-ending fielding error against the eventual World Series champion Dodgers last postseason.

Kerkering has rejoined the Phillies prior to Monday’s series opener in San Francisco, but the club is going to wait an extra day before officially making a roster move. The 25-year-old high-leverage reliever has been on the shelf since spring training working his way back from a hamstring strain.

Kerkering will get in one more rehab appearance and then jet to San Francisco to join the Phillies for their next series by the bay. The right-hander is no threat to Jhoan Duran’s closer role, but should be capable of value in leagues with holds eventually.

The second of those back-to-back appearances is set to come on Wednesday. If his hamstring responds well to the back to back outings, then it’s not out of the question that he returns to the Phillies’ bullpen this weekend.

Kerkering, who reported to camp with the injury last month, pitched in a minor league game on Monday and is expected to be ready to return once his 15 days are up.

That was the final hurdle for him to clear before returning to Grapefruit League action, which is scheduled to happen on Tuesday. It’s sounding more and more likely that he’ll be available out of the Phillies’ bullpen on Opening Day.