Orion

Kerkering

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.

The 24-year-old right-hander continues to progress in his recovery from a Grade 1 hamstring strain. When asked on Thursday about the possibility of Kerkering being ready in time for Opening Day, Phillies’ skipper Rob Thomson replied “possibly”. It sounds like barring any setbacks, the Phillies could have one of their main bullpen arms ready to go on March 26.

Kerkering still has plenty of time to ramp up and get himself ready before Opening Day after suffering a Grade 1 hamstring strain at the outset of spring camp. Barring any setbacks from here, he should be ready to open the season as part of a committee setting up for closer Jhoan Duran.

He’ll be “a little behind” but it’s not expected to prevent him from being ready for Opening Day at this point. Jhoan Duran projects as Philadelphia’s closer and Kerkering only figures to have spot opportunities to close when healthy, so there’s not much reason to roster him in shallow leagues.