Matt Gelb

No doubt. But they also had 131 GS from the Sánchez/Wheeler/Luzardo/Nola/Suárez fivesome. We'll see if they can duplicate that.

I sounded like shit, and I'm sorry, but it was a delight as always to join Meg and Ben.

Ailing son weighed on José Alvarado last season. Now, after suspension, he’s pitching with a purpose Dylan, diagnosed with leukemia, is an inspiration for Alvarado, who is pitching for so much this season after a "difficult" 2025.

José Alvarado is pitching to reclaim his name and for his future. But is pitching for much more than that -- the name tattooed on the inside of his left wrist: www.nytimes.com/athletic/711...

Zack Wheeler will throw his first live BP on Saturday. Another step forward for him. He’s progressing well.

Office Hours: March 12, 2026 | Phillies Therapy Get more from Phillies Therapy on Patreon

New Patreon exclusive is up:
www.patreon.com/posts/152870...

By signing Jesús Luzardo, Phillies quadruple down on their rotation Wheeler, Nola, Sánchez and now Luzardo. The Phillies, unlike most teams, have embraced expensive, long-term rotation contracts.

Great detail and insight from @jaysonst.bsky.social about how a $135 million bet by Phillies on Jesús Luzardo came together: www.nytimes.com/athletic/710...

Jayson goes deep on the Phillies, including my favorite Trea Turner-ism: "I can attest that nobody knows anything."

Phillies, Jesus Luzardo Agree to Contract Extension

Bonus pod. We discuss the $135 million deal for Jesús Luzardo: open.spotify.com/episode/3L5I...

Phillies, Jesús Luzardo agree to five-year, $135 million extension Luzardo's new deal begins in 2027 and takes him through 2031. He was slated to become a free agent after this season.

Initial story on Jesús Luzardo's five-year extension, a reward for a big first year in Philadelphia and another major rotation investment by Phillies: www.nytimes.com/athletic/710...

Phillies and Jesús Luzardo have reached an agreement on a five-year extension worth $135 million, sources confirm to The Athletic. First reported by Jeff Passan and Jim Salisbury.

Of Vanimals and Liminals Podcast Episode · Phillies Therapy · March 9 · 42m

You can sign a new episode of Phillies Therapy to a 40-minute contract with your ears
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🎙️ Rates & Barrels ⚾

We're back! @enosarris.bsky.social from Mariners camp (and with some nuggets on the Reds), plus our Dodgers preview with @katiejwoo.bsky.social and Phillies preview w/@mattgelb.bsky.social....

Audio: pod.fo/e/39c905
YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/RatesBarrels

Pain in the Rojas

New Phillies Therapy pod about stuff: open.spotify.com/episode/4kXU...

Phillies’ Johan Rojas facing an 80-game suspension for PED violation Rojas tested positive for a PED in the offseason and is appealing the results of the test. He is no longer on the D.R. roster for the WBC.

Johan Rojas is facing an 80-game suspension from MLB for a failed PED test during the offseason. He is appealing. Here’s what we know: www.nytimes.com/athletic/708...

Phillies’ Andrew Painter, with greater fastball command and intention, is back There was a breeziness to Sunday's spring outing that simply wasn’t present last season as Painter labored during start after start.

Here's @charlottevarnes.bsky.social on two innings for Andrew Painter that were totally normal but meant something because they were normal: www.nytimes.com/athletic/707...

After two straight offseasons of trade rumors, Alec Bohm is just trying to control what he can The Phillies third baseman and pending free agent is back with the team despite plenty of buzz that he wouldn't be.

After two straight offseasons of trade rumors, the Phillies’ Alec Bohm is just trying to control what he can. Story: www.nytimes.com/athletic/707...

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What is Bryce Harper thinking? On baseball, boredom and being a kid, again, in the WBC "I still have a lot to prove to myself," said Harper, one of this generation's greats. It feels like something larger is at stake in 2026.

Bryce Harper is tired of you asking about why he doesn't smile enough -- and many other thoughts heading into his 15th MLB season: www.nytimes.com/athletic/706...

The robot umps are here: What to watch for with ABS this MLB spring training MLB's ABS challenge system is up and running this spring — and it's about to change baseball profoundly. Here's everything you need to know.

New from me:

The robot umps are here!

Here’s what to watch for this spring, including this fascinating question:

What should an umpire say if the catcher asks, “Where was that pitch?”
www.nytimes.com/athletic/706...

New Phillies coach Don Mattingly faces old team while getting to know his new one Mattingly took out the lineup card for the Grapefruit League opener because his old friends were on the other side.

Don Mattingly represents the biggest coaching change the Phillies have made since June 2022. He saw his old team Saturday as he enjoys "freedom to roam" with his new one. How it's going: www.nytimes.com/athletic/706...

That's 104 mph off the bat and 390 feet in the air to the opposite field for Justin Crawford against a big-league lefty, Eric Lauer. Spring has sprung.

A lovely day in Dunedin for the Grapefruit League lid-lifter. Phillies have Bryse Wilson starting with McCambley, N. Hoffman, Lazar, S. Johnson and Walling in relief. Among others. Big game to set the tone for the Pinellas County Cup.

Phillies notes: Bench battle, ‘belief’ in Jonathan Bowlan, Jhoan Duran’s secret pitch? Dylan Moore, a 33-year-old utility player in camp on a minor-league deal, is among the Phillies' options for the final bench spot.

Some observations from Phillies camp as the workouts end and exhibition games begin: www.nytimes.com/athletic/706...

Phillies are bullish on their new bullpen, which will have more defined roles The Phillies are moving back toward a more defined bullpen with roles, bucking a trend across baseball.

Jhoan Duran's day had been done for an hour, but he stuck around to watch Brad Keller throw. The Phillies are excited for a bullpen ... with set roles.

“When you know what inning you’re throwing, you prepare better and you’re ready for pitching.”

Story: www.nytimes.com/athletic/705...

I didn't have him on the roster!

Phillies roster projection 1.0: Filling out the bullpen and bench In the estimation of club officials, the Phillies have four undecided roster spots. Here's our initial projection — and what to watch.

The fake Phillies games start Saturday. Here's a first draft at a possible Opening Day roster, with some observations from camp: www.nytimes.com/athletic/705...

Justin Crawford loves the art of bunting. He aims to embrace it with the Phillies The Phillies are encouraging the speedy center fielder to work on bunting to get on base and create chaos. Crawford is taking it to heart.

Bunting for hits isn’t cool anymore. Maybe Justin Crawford is the guy to bring it back. “I love it,” he said. A silly spring story: www.nytimes.com/athletic/705...

New Phillies Therapy pod with some chatter about the first week of camp: open.spotify.com/episode/6dw8...

Thank you!