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Player Outlook
Orion Kerkering's first full season in the majors was delayed by a few weeks due to what the Phillies called a "right forearm strain". In reality, the 23-year-old was simply rebuilding strength after missing extensive time during spring training due to a severe case of the flu. Kerkering was activated in mid-April and pitched on the lower-end of Philadelphia's high-leverage hierarchy, typically working the sixth or seventh innings. The rookie was outstanding, posting a 2.29 ERA (3.19 xERA) and 1.08 WHIP over 63 innings with a 23.2 K-BB percentage that ranked 20th among qualified relievers. Kerkering failed to record any saves in 2024, but remains in the conversation as a potential closer of the future in Philadelphia.

Fantasy Stats

Year fpts
Fantasy Points
fpts/g
Fantasy Points per Game
ip
Innings Pitched
w
Wins
l
Losses
sv
Saves
so
Strikeouts
bb
Base on Balls (Walk)
era
Earned Run Average
whip
Walks and Hits Allowed Per Inning
2025 0.00 0.00
2024 1542.4 63.0 5 3 74 17 2.29 1.08
2023 155 3.0 1 6 2 0.00 1.33
3y Avg. 822.4 33.0 3 2 40 10 2.18 1.09
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Fantasy Performance by Week
21%
Roster
11%
Start

Fantasy News

  • Phillies' Orion Kerkering: Throws clean inning Thursday

    Kerkering threw a clean inning in Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Rays, striking out two while picking up a hold. Kerkering now holds a 3.00 ERA and 1.00 WHIP while fanning three over three innings during spring training so far. The 23-year-old right-hander showed plenty of promise out of Philadelphia's bullpen in his first full season in the major leagues, featuring a 2.29 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 74:14 K:BB across 63 regular-season frames a year ago. Kerkering is slated to start 2025 in a setup role behind presumed closer Jordan Romano, but it's not out of the question that the former sees some ninth-inning work at some point later in the season.
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  • Phillies' Orion Kerkering: Opening Saturday's contest

    Kerkering will serve as the Philles' opening pitcher for Saturday's game against the Mariners, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports. Kerkering has opened a game once already this season, during which he posted a scoreless inning against the Athletics. He'll now be asked to do the same versus Seattle, giving bulk reliever Kolby Allard one less matchup against the Mariners' top three hitters.
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  • Phillies' Orion Kerkering: Will be activated Sunday

    Kerkering (forearm) will be activated from the injured list before Sunday's game versus the Pirates, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports. Kerkering got a late start to the season due to illness and a right forearm strain, but he looked sharp on his rehab assignment with a 10:0 K:BB over 4.1 shutout innings. The 23-year-old might be eased into high-leverage situations, but it shouldn't be long before he's one of the Phillies' most trusted relievers.
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  • Phillies' Orion Kerkering: Likely back this weekend

    Kerkering (forearm/illness) will make two more rehab appearances with Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Tuesday and Thursday before being activated from the 15-day injured list, Luke Arcaini of 102.5 FM Philadelphia reports. Assuming he comes out of those outings with no issues, Kerkering should rejoin the Phillies bullpen when they return home this weekend for the start of a 10-game homestand. Kerkering has been out all season with a right forearm strain and an illness. He'll eventually be in line for high-leverage appearances, but it's possible the Phillies will ease him into those situations.
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  • Phillies' Orion Kerkering: Beginning rehab assignment

    Kerkering (forearm/illness) will begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Saturday. Kerkering is officially on the 15-day IL with a right forearm strain, but his rehab assignment will build him back up after he missed most of the Grapefruit League schedule due to a bad case of the flu. As a reliever, the 22-year-old righty shouldn't take long to prepare for a return to Philadelphia's bullpen, so he could be able to come off the IL when eligible April 9.
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  • Phillies' Orion Kerkering: Will begin season on IL

    Manager Rob Thomson said Saturday that Kerkering (illness) will begin the regular season on the 15-day injured list, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports. Kerkering hasn't pitched in a Grapefruit League game since March 1 due to a bout with the flu, and though he's starting to make progress in his recovery, he missed too much time in camp to put himself in position to make the Opening Day roster. A long-term absence isn't expected, but the Phillies likely won't want to rush the 22-year-old right-hander back after he went over three weeks without pitching. He'll first be eligible to return from the IL on April 9.
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