Phillies Spring Training Roster Cuts: Mick Abel and 4 others sent down, final battles heating up

The Phillies’ spring training roster just got a little leaner. After an 18-8 win over the Red Sox, five players were removed from camp, trimming the active roster to 45 as we inch closer to Opening Day on March 27.

Mick Abel Heads to Triple-A

The biggest name on the list is Mick Abel, who was optioned to Triple-A Lehigh Valley after a rough Grapefruit League debut. The Phillies’ 2020 first-round pick struggled against the Red Sox, giving up four runs (three earned) in 1⅔ innings, adding to concerns about his command.

Mick Abel has been highly touted but has yet to smooth out his mechanics, walking 143 batters over 221 innings the last two seasons. Abel has “the stuff” but he needs to throw more strikes, stop nibbling, and trust the stuff. At 23, I’m not ready to give up hope. He still has frontline potential, but needs to prove he can command the zone consistently before getting a real shot in Philly.

Four More Sent to Minor-League Camp

• OF Gabriel Rincones Jr.
• OF Matt Kroon
• IF Otto Kemp
• C Paul McIntosh

None were expected to make the Opening Day roster, but Rincones Jr. and Kemp are prospects to watch down the line.

Phillies’ Remaining Roster Battles Heat Up…

With 45 players left in camp, the Phillies have three main position battles to sort out.

Backup Catcher: Rafael Marchan vs. Garrett Stubbs

Stubbs has been JT Realmuto’s backup for a while, but Marchan has been making a real push. Marchan has always been solid defensively and is a switch-hitter, which gives him some versatility. If he keeps hitting, it wouldn’t be shocking to see him steal the job.

Season Preview: Is JT Realmuto is still the best catcher in the NL East entering pivotal contract year with the Phillies

Final Bench Spot

Three of the four bench spots are locked in:

✅ Edmundo Sosa
✅ Backup catcher (Marchan or Stubbs)
✅ Johan Rojas (assuming he wins the CF job)

That leaves one last bench job, and it’s likely going to someone who can play both infield and outfield:

• Kody Clemens – Lefty bat, plays multiple positions.
• Buddy Kennedy – Has been learning LF to add versatility.
• Christian Arroyo – Veteran presence, but health is always a question.
• Oscar Mercado – Speed and outfield defense.
• Cal Stevenson – Long shot to make it.

Weston Wilson was the frontrunner, but his oblique strain has knocked him out until at least April. That opens the door for Clemens or Kennedy as the favorites.

Phillies’ outfield depth is so bad that somehow Edmundo Sosa is now a “necessary” solution

Final Bullpen Spots

With Matt Strahm dealing with a shoulder injury, the Phillies likely have two bullpen spots up for grabs. One spot is basically Taijuan Walker’s, assuming he doesn’t get stretched out as a starter. That leaves one final job for a long list of relievers, including:

• Nabil Crismatt – Offspeed-heavy profile.
• Jose Cuas – Sidearmer with a nasty slider.
• John McMillon – Hard-throwing righty, five strikeouts in four scoreless innings this spring.
• Nick Vespi – Only lefty in the group, which might give him an edge.
• Koyo Aoyagi – Sidearm specialist.
• Devin Sweet, Tyler Phillips, Kyle Tyler, Michael Mercado, Guillo Zuñiga, Joel Kuhnel – All fighting for the final chance.

It’s unclear if performance alone will determine the winner, or if the Phillies are looking for a specific type of pitcher to complement the rest of the bullpen. If it’s about results, McMillon has been the best so far.

What’s Next?

The Phillies still have 13 Grapefruit League games left to sort this all out. Opening Day is right around the corner, and while most of the roster is set, these last few battles will be crucial in shaping the team’s depth.

The countdown to March 27 is officially on.

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