SAN FRANCISCO — The Phillies officially announced Tuesday that they have activated Orion Kerkering from the 15-day injured list.
Kerkering suffered a Grade 1 hamstring strain in Clearwater during Spring Training. The stint was retroactive to March 22.
As the corresponding move, the Phillies optioned left-handed reliever Kyle Backhus to Triple-A Lehigh Valley. The 28-year-old submariner, acquired in an offseason trade with Arizona, allowed three earned runs in three innings of work with the big club.
Backhus was the only Phillies middle reliever with a minor league option remaining, part of the reason the club was interested in acquiring him this winter. Zach Pop, Tim Mayza and Jonathan Bowlan are all out of options.
The addition of Kerkering gives the Phillies’ bullpen a meaningful boost.
Last season, Kerkering was one of the Phillies’ most durable and heavily used relievers. He appeared in 69 games, struck out 65 batters in 60 innings and posted a 3.30 ERA.
The 25-year-old also turned in strong underlying metrics, ranking in the 98th percentile in opponents’ average exit velocity, the 93rd percentile in hard-hit rate and the 88th percentile in average fastball velocity at 97.1 mph.
Kerkering has long leaned on a three-pitch mix led by his sweeper, along with a four-seam fastball and sinker. More recently, he began mixing in a splitter to give hitters a different look.
Kerkering’s 2025 season, though productive overall, did not end cleanly. His throwing error in Game 4 of the National League Division Series led to the Dodgers’ walk-off win and the Phillies’ elimination.
It remains to be seen how often he’ll use the splitter in the Majors, but Kerkering looked sharp during his four rehab appearances with Triple-A Lehigh Valley, where he posted a 2.25 ERA. He now rejoins the Phillies’ bullpen just 10 games into the season.