Orion Kerkering - MLB News, Rumors, & Updates

Begins rehab assignment Kerkering (hamstring) threw a clean inning in Saturday's minor-league rehab appearance for Triple-A Lehigh Valley, striking out one.

Impact Kerkering, who's working his way back from a Grade 1 right hamstring strain, is next expected to pitch in consecutive games Sunday and Monday, per MLB.com. Once he's cleared to join Philadelphia's bullpen, Kerkering is likely to operate primarily as a setup man for closer Jhoan Duran in 2026.

1 DAY AGO • ROTOWIRE

Lands on IL The Phillies placed Kerkering (hamstring) on the 15-day injured list Wednesday.

Impact Kerkering's move to the IL was a foregone conclusion after the righty reliever didn't make his Grapefruit League debut until last Friday while he recovered from a Grade 1 right hamstring strain. He was able to make another appearance Monday on the back fields of camp, but the Phillies presumably want to see the 24-year-old stack up a few more innings before clearing him to join the big-league bullpen. He'll likely be ready to start a rehab assignment when the minor-league season gets underway Friday, and he could be ready to return from the IL when first eligible April 7.

4 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Opening season on IL Kerkering (hamstring) will begin the regular season on the injured list, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

Impact The right-hander has made just one Grapefruit League appearance this spring while working his way back from a Grade 1 hamstring strain, so he'll get some more time to build up before joining the Phillies. Once healthy, Kerkering is expected to fill a setup role after recording four saves and 19 holds with a 3.30 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 65:27 K:BB across 60 regular-season innings last year.

MARCH 22 • ROTOWIRE

Kerkering pitches in Minor League game; Opening Day still uncertain CLEARWATER, Fla. – Orion Kerkering will be cutting it close to make the Phillies’ Opening Day roster. But he took a significant step Tuesday...

MARCH 17 • MLB.COM

Cleared to pitch in minors game Kerkering (hamstring) is slated to make an appearance Tuesday in a minor-league game on the back fields of camp, Lochlahn March of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Impact Kerkering is no worse for the wear after tossing a live batting practice session over the weekend, so he'll be available to pitch for the first time in spring training, albeit in a controlled setting. The hard-throwing right-hander has been slowed by a Grade 1 right hamstring strain throughout the spring, but he should be able to avoid a stint on the injured list to begin the season if he's able to get a couple of appearances under his belt during the final week of camp.

MARCH 16 • ROTOWIRE

Could pitch Tuesday after live BP Kerkering (hamstring) told reporters after his live batting practice session Saturday that he expects to pitch in Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against the Twins, Todd Zolecki o...

Impact Kerkering has been held out of spring training games while rehabbing from a Grade 1 right hamstring strain. He appears to have progressed enough in his recovery to be available for Tuesday's Grapefruit League game, and the 25-year-old right-hander is aiming to pitch in three games before Opening Day. Kerkering appeared in 69 regular-season games for the Phillies in 2025 and finished with a 3.30 ERA, 1.37 WHIP, four saves (on 11 attempts) and a 65:27 K:BB across 60 innings.

MARCH 14 • ROTOWIRE

Scheduled for live BP Saturday Kerkering (hamstring) will throw a live batting practice session Saturday, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Impact The right-handed reliever has been slowed since the start of camp by a Grade 1 right hamstring strain, and this will be the first time he's faced hitters since the injury. If things go off without a hitch Saturday, Kerkering's Grapefruit League debut should be around the corner. Phillies manager Rob Thomson said Thursday that Kerkering will "possibly" have enough time to be ready for Opening Day.

MARCH 12 • ROTOWIRE

Tosses bullpen session Saturday Kerkering (hamstring) threw a bullpen session Saturday, per Charlotte Varnes of The Athletic.

Impact It was the right-hander's third session since having his throwing program delayed by a Grade 1 hamstring strain, per MLB.com. Kerkering, who's expected to be one of Philadelphia's primary setup men for closer Jhoan Duran, still has plenty of time to build up and be ready for Opening Day in late March.

MARCH 7 • ROTOWIRE

Kerkering returns to mound with splitter patterned after one of baseball's best CLEARWATER, Fla. -- Soon, Phillies right-hander Orion Kerkering will throw his newest pitch to Philadelphia hitters. He can’t wait. Kerkerin...

FEBRUARY 28 • MLB.COM

Getting back on mound Saturday Kerkering (hamstring) will throw a bullpen session Saturday, Charlotte Varnes of The Athletic reports.

Impact It will be his first time throwing off a mound since he suffered a Grade 1 hamstring strain. If things go well Saturday, Kerkering would likely then progress to facing hitters and then appearing in a game. The right-handed reliever has plenty of time to ramp up for Opening Day, barring setbacks.

FEBRUARY 27 • ROTOWIRE

Phillies' Orion Kerkering shares great mindset in first comments since NLDS error | Sporting News This isn't an easy thing to move past, but Kerkering is doing so admirably.

FEBRUARY 15 • SPORTINGNEWS.COM

Orion Kerkering breaks silence on the play that cost the Phillies in the postseason Without brushing aside the past, Orion Kerkering addressed how he views that costly postseason mistake for the Philadelphia Phillies. Based...

FEBRUARY 15 • BOLAVIP.COM

On mend from hamstring strain The Phillies announced Wednesday that Kerkering will be delayed at the start of spring training while he recovers from a Grade 1 hamstring strain, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports...

Impact Kerkering will likely be limited to rehab work in the early stages of camp while he heals up from the hamstring injury, but because he's typically deployed as a one-inning reliever, he won't need much ramp-up time once he's cleared to get back on a mound. The hard-throwing right-hander hasn't quite developed into the long-term solution at the back end of the bullpen that the Phillies might have envisioned him becoming when he first hit the big leagues in 2023, but he'll be a key part of the bridge to closer Jhoan Duran during the upcoming season.

FEBRUARY 11 • ROTOWIRE

Phils swap Minors righties with Rays, acquire Yoniel Curet ORLANDO, Fla. -- The Phillies opened the Winter Meetings this week with five spots locked up in an eight-man bullpen. The group included rig...

DECEMBER 10, 2025 • MLB.COM

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DECEMBER 9, 2025 • FOX SPORTS

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The aftermath of Orion Kerkering's series-ending error is what's truly important, and other thoughts - The Boston Globe It would have been so easy to cast blame, to make Kerkering the scapegoat. Instead, we got amazing examples of empathy, leadership, and kind...

OCTOBER 14, 2025 • BOSTONGLOBE.COM

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OCTOBER 13, 2025 • Associated Press

MLB writer urges Phillies to trade Orion Kerkering after brutal error | Sporting News Orion Kerkering's error to lose the NLDS has one MLB insider believing the Phillies should trade him for his own good.

OCTOBER 12, 2025 • SPORTINGNEWS.COM

3 departing Phillies players Angels should steal after latest October failure Man, this latest playoff series loss from the Philadelphia Phillies could be the toughest one yet. That play from Orion Kerkering, man....th...

OCTOBER 11, 2025 • HALOHANGOUT.COM

David Murphy: In the aftermath of a brutal loss, Orion Kerkering learns his Phillies teammates are winners LOS ANGELES - The end of a season always feels empty. The more suddenly the end comes, the emptier i...

OCTOBER 11, 2025 • THESTATE.COM

Phillies' Orion Kerkering discusses late-game error in elimination loss to Dodgers | Sporting News After an error that resulted in a Game 4 loss, pitcher Orion Kerkering commented on the final play that resulted in the season ending for th...

OCTOBER 10, 2025 • SPORTINGNEWS.COM

Phillies face an uncertain future following their 4th straight playoff exit

The Philadelphia Phillies face a challenging offseason after their playoff exit against the Los Angeles Dodgers

OCTOBER 10, 2025 • Associated Press

'Just a Thud:’ Chaos and Heartbreak for the Phillies -- Now Uncertainty Looms

In mere seconds, the Phillies suffered one of the most chaotic losses in postseason history and now brace for big offseason moves.

OCTOBER 10, 2025 • FOX SPORTS

'Just a Thud:’ Chaos and Heartbreak for the Phillies -- Now Uncertainty Looms

Why Phillies pitcher Orion Kerkering's walk-off error is one of the worst plays in MLB history | Sporting News Orion Kerkering's walk-off error was a historically brutal play for the Phillies.

OCTOBER 10, 2025 • SPORTINGNEWS.COM

Orion Kerkering holds back tears in reaction to Phillies' season-ending error | Sporting News Orion Kerkering comes up with a raw and honest interview in post-game admission.

OCTOBER 10, 2025 • SPORTINGNEWS.COM

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Failures on sports' biggest stages provide unique glimpse into how to overcome adversity

Phillies face an uncertain future following their 4th straight playoff exit

'Just a Thud:’ Chaos and Heartbreak for the Phillies -- Now Uncertainty Looms