Phillies reinstate Orion Kerkering from 15-day injured list

Phillies option Kyle Backhus to triple-A Lehigh Valley to make room on the roster

Apr. 7, 2026 at 10:35pm by Ben Kaplan

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting the overlapping planes and angles of a baseball pitcher's delivery, rendered in a muted color palette that evokes the sport's intensity.A cubist interpretation of a Phillies pitcher's delivery captures the dynamic motion and energy of major league baseball.San Francisco Today

The Philadelphia Phillies have reinstated right-handed pitcher Orion Kerkering from the 15-day injured list and optioned left-handed pitcher Kyle Backhus to their triple-A affiliate Lehigh Valley. Kerkering had been sidelined with a mild hamstring strain but made four rehab appearances at Lehigh Valley before rejoining the Phillies' bullpen.

Why it matters

Kerkering's return bolsters the Phillies' pitching staff as they look to build on their strong start to the season. The addition of his new splitter pitch could provide a different look for opposing hitters. Backhus had made the opening day roster but will now get more regular work at the triple-A level.

The details

Kerkering, who introduced a splitter to his repertoire over the offseason, made four appearances at triple-A Lehigh Valley on a rehab assignment, posting a 2.25 ERA and 0.75 WHIP. Phillies manager Rob Thomson believes the splitter is a major-league-ready pitch that will give hitters a different look. Backhus, a left-handed sidearmer, made his first career opening day roster this year but allowed three earned runs in his first appearance before posting three scoreless outings.

  • Kerkering was reinstated from the 15-day injured list on Tuesday, April 7, 2026.
  • Backhus was optioned to triple-A Lehigh Valley to make room on the Phillies' roster.

The players

Orion Kerkering

A right-handed pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies who was reinstated from the 15-day injured list after recovering from a mild hamstring strain.

Kyle Backhus

A left-handed pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies who was optioned to the team's triple-A affiliate Lehigh Valley after making the opening day roster.

Rob Thomson

The manager of the Philadelphia Phillies who believes Kerkering's new splitter pitch is major-league-ready.

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What they’re saying

“It's been really good, and it just gives the hitter different look, gets them off slider a little bit, but it's got a lot of bottom to it.”

— Rob Thomson, Phillies Manager

The takeaway

Kerkering's return from injury and the addition of his new splitter pitch could provide a boost to the Phillies' bullpen as they look to build on their strong start to the season. Meanwhile, Backhus will continue to develop at the triple-A level after making the opening day roster.