Phillies Cut Formerly Hard-Throwing Lefty Reliever

Genesis Cabrera reassigned to minor-league camp as Phillies finalize Opening Day roster

Mar. 21, 2026 at 10:37am

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The Philadelphia Phillies have reassigned left-handed reliever Genesis Cabrera to minor-league camp, cutting him from their Opening Day roster. Cabrera, who used to throw in the upper 90s, has seen his velocity and effectiveness decline in recent seasons. The Phillies' bullpen picture is starting to take shape, with Kyle Backhus likely claiming a spot and Orion Kerkering working to be ready for Opening Day.

Why it matters

Cabrera's release highlights the Phillies' efforts to finalize their bullpen ahead of the new season. The team is making tough decisions to build the best possible relief corps, with velocity and performance being key factors. Cabrera's story also serves as a reminder of the challenges pitchers can face in maintaining their stuff at the big-league level.

The details

Cabrera, who used to average 97.8 mph with his sinker in 2021, has seen his velocity steadily decline. This spring, his sinker averaged just 94.6 mph. After making 98 appearances with a 3.34 ERA for the Blue Jays in 2023 and 2024, Cabrera struggled last season, posting a 6.54 ERA across four different teams. The Phillies signed him to a minor-league deal in the offseason, but he allowed two runs over seven innings in Grapefruit League play and will now start the season at Triple-A.

  • Cabrera was reassigned to minor-league camp on Friday, March 21, 2026.
  • The Phillies will need to make 11 more cuts between now and Opening Day, which is Thursday, April 3, 2026.

The players

Genesis Cabrera

A left-handed reliever who used to throw in the upper 90s but has seen his velocity and effectiveness decline in recent seasons.

Kyle Backhus

A left-handed reliever who has impressed the Phillies this spring with his effective pitching and unique low-sidearm delivery, and is likely to claim a spot in the team's bullpen.

Orion Kerkering

A right-handed reliever who was slowed in camp by a hamstring injury but is working to be ready for Opening Day, which could open up another spot in the Phillies' bullpen.

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What they’re saying

“I mean, I got hit in the face, shoot, four years ago with 98, just bang. It was probably the scariest moment on a baseball field I've ever had, and it took me a minute to come back.”

— Bryce Harper

What’s next

If Orion Kerkering is not ready by Opening Day, he could stay back for two more weeks in Clearwater to continue building up before joining the team as early as April 10.

The takeaway

Cabrera's release highlights the Phillies' efforts to build the best possible bullpen, with velocity and performance being key factors. The team is making tough decisions, and Cabrera's story serves as a reminder of the challenges pitchers can face in maintaining their stuff at the big-league level.