Phillies' Bullpen Looks Primed for Success in 2026 Season

Manager Rob Thomson says this year's group is the best he's had since joining the team.

Published on Mar. 1, 2026

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The Philadelphia Phillies are entering the 2026 MLB season with a bullpen that manager Rob Thomson believes is the strongest he's had since taking over the team in 2022. Led by closer Jhoan Duran and a deep group of talented relievers, the Phillies' bullpen is expected to be a major strength this year despite concerns about the team's offense.

Why it matters

The Phillies' bullpen has been an area of weakness in recent seasons, so the team's ability to assemble a dominant relief corps could be a key factor in their pursuit of a playoff berth in 2026. A strong bullpen can help offset offensive struggles and provide stability late in games.

The details

Thomson highlighted several key additions and returning players that make this year's bullpen the best he's had in Philadelphia. Closer Jhoan Duran is one of the top relievers in baseball, while Jose Alvarado, Brad Keller, and Orion Kerkering provide a formidable supporting cast. The Phillies also have intriguing depth options like Jonathan Bowlan, Kyle Buckhus, Zach Pop, and Zach McCambley.

  • The Phillies acquired Jhoan Duran from the Minnesota Twins at the 2025 trade deadline.
  • Jose Alvarado is looking to bounce back after an 80-game PED suspension in 2025.
  • Brad Keller signed a $22 million contract with the Phillies this offseason after a strong 2.07 ERA season with the Chicago Cubs.

The players

Rob Thomson

The manager of the Philadelphia Phillies since 2022.

Jhoan Duran

The Phillies' closer, one of the best relievers in Major League Baseball.

Jose Alvarado

A hard-throwing Phillies reliever looking to bounce back after an 80-game PED suspension in 2025.

Brad Keller

A $22 million offseason addition to the Phillies' bullpen, coming off a strong 2.07 ERA season with the Chicago Cubs.

Orion Kerkering

A Phillies reliever who had a NLDS blunder against the Los Angeles Dodgers but is still considered a great option in the bullpen.

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What they’re saying

“It's probably the best group of arms that we've had since I've been here.”

— Rob Thomson, Phillies Manager (NBC Sports Philadelphia)

What’s next

The Phillies will be closely monitoring the performance of their bullpen throughout spring training and the early part of the 2026 season to see if it lives up to the high expectations set by manager Rob Thomson.

The takeaway

The Phillies' bullpen appears to be a major strength heading into the 2026 season, which could be a crucial factor in the team's pursuit of a playoff berth despite concerns about their offense. If the relievers live up to their potential, the Phillies could have one of the best bullpens in franchise history.