Tyler

Phillips

Phillips held the Mets scoreless through three innings, then gave up three runs on a walk and three hits in the fourth. He gave the Marlins one more scoreless frame, ending his day after five with two strikeouts. The 28-year-old right-hander will take a 1.63 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, and a 33/19 K/BB ratio across 38 2/3 innings into a start against the Rays in Miami on Friday.

Phillips gave up two hits, walked two and struck out four. The 28-year-old converted reliever threw 59 pitches. Phillips had been excellent out of the bullpen this year and was no different in his first start as he wasn’t scored upon. He now has a 1.07 ERA on the season. Phillips is lined up to face the Mets again next weekend, but isn’t pitching deep enough into games yet to be in fantasy lineups.

Phillips has been outstanding out of the bullpen with a 1.27 ERA in 30 innings over 15 appearances, and Miami is going to give him a chance to help the rotation. The 28-year-old isn’t likely to get deep into contests in his first few attempts, but because of his success, he’s at least worth keeping an eye on.

With Pete Fairbanks hitting the injured list on Tuesday with nerve irritation, Phillips got the call to close out the game in the ninth inning with a 2-1 lead against the Dodgers. He worked around one hit, keeping the Dodgers off the board for his second save. The 28-year-old right-hander has been one of the more consistent arms in the Miami bullpen, posting a 1.47 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, and a 19/12 K/BB ratio across 18 1/3 innings.

Fairbanks heads to the shelf after leaving Monday’s save situation against the Dodgers with a nerve-related issue in his right thumb. There’s optimism he won’t require a lengthy absence, but he’s going to be out until at least mid-May. The logical candidates to handle the ninth inning role in his absence are Calvin Faucher, Anthony Bender and Tyler Phillips. It’ll likely be a closer-by-committee situation.

Fairbanks has Reynaud’s Syndrome, which leads to poor blood flow to his fingers in cold weather, but no word yet if tonight’s issue was related to that. Fairbanks wound up being charged with three runs in one-third of an inning and took his second loss tonight. If he’s forced to the IL, then Tyler Phillips, Calvin Faucher and Anthony Bender could be candidates for saves.

Phillips came in to replace Pete Fairbanks after Fairbanks left Sunday’s appearance with a thumb issue, and while he got Will Smith to strike out with the bases loaded, he gave up a two-run single to Kyle Tucker for his first blown save of 2026. If Fairbanks needs to go on the injured list, it’ll likely be a closer-by-committee with Phillips, Anthony Bender and Calvin Faucher all possible options.

He’s not a threat to Pete Fairbanks’ closer role, this was a bullpen-saving save. Still, Phillips has been impressive so far for the Marlins. He touched 98 on the gun and hasn’t been scored on yet in 5.2 innings, striking out six. If Fairbanks is traded or spends time on the IL, Phillips would be in the discussion to replace him.

Bender was closing in place of Pete Fairbanks, who pitched the first ahead of his paternity leave stint. Lucky for him, he had a three-run lead before walking two and giving up a two-run double to Jazz Chisholm Jr. with two outs. He then intentionally walked Austin Wells before striking out J.C. Escarra, pinch-hitting for José Caballero, to end the game. Bender threw 31 pitches today on the heels of 15 on Saturday, so he’ll need Monday off. Calvin Faucher will also need a break, so Tyler Phillips might be in line to close.

Phillips struck out three batters in the contest while issuing one walk. The Mets scored four unearned runs in the opening inning, as Christopher Morel started the inning by making an error at first base that allowed the floodgates to open. Phillips then allowed an RBI triple to Carson Benge in the second inning. He got six swings and misses on 45 pitches on the night, posting a CSW of 29 percent. Through four appearances in Grapefruit League action, Phillips holds a 1.50 ERA, 2.00 WHIP and a 6/4 K/BB ratio over six innings.