The Phillies called up Steward Berroa from Triple-A and if you’re asking who that is, I am too

The Phillies made a handful of roster moves before Friday night’s series opener against the Dodgers in Los Angeles.

Otto Kemp was optioned back to Triple-A Lehigh Valley. Steward Berroa, a switch-hitting outfielder, was recalled to take his spot. Aaron Nola is going on the paternity list. Pitcher Nolan Hoffman is being recalled as the corresponding move.

Congratulations to Nola on the new baby. Now let’s talk about Berroa because I know everyone reading this just said “who?” out loud.

Phillies call up Steward Berroa…WHO?!

Prior to tonight’s game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Phillies announced the following roster moves:

Outfielder Steward Berroa recalled from triple-A Lehigh Valley and will wear No. 39

Infielder/outfielder Otto Kemp optioned to Lehigh Valley following Wednesday’s game…

— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) May 29, 2026

Okay, Phillies, who Is Steward Berroa?

Steward Berroa is a 26-year-old switch-hitting outfielder who the Phillies claimed off waivers last month. He spent time in the big leagues with the Blue Jays and Brewers across 30 career games.

In 2024, he got 37 at-bats with Toronto and hit .189 with seven hits. Last year with Milwaukee, he got five at-bats.

At Triple-A Lehigh Valley this year, he’s posted a .761 OPS with four homers in 40 games while mostly playing center field. The scouting report says he can provide speed and defense off the bench, which is something the Phillies genuinely haven’t had.

The bat doesn’t project well at the Major League level based on the limited sample we have but the Phillies aren’t calling him up to hit third. They’re calling him up because they need a warm body in the outfield after Marsh jammed his finger and the bench has been completely useless for weeks.

This Is a Depth Move and Nothing More

We literally never have anyone on the farm worth calling up.

Kemp wasn’t cutting it. Berroa is a lateral move at best. Neither guy is going to change the trajectory of the season.

This is the Phillies shuffling the bottom of the roster because the depth behind the everyday lineup is so thin that they’re cycling through Triple-A outfielders trying to find anyone who can contribute even marginally off the bench.

The Marsh injury made this move more urgent. With Marsh’s finger banged up and his availability day to day, the Phillies needed another outfield option who can at least play center field defensively and provide a pinch-running option.

Berroa checks those boxes. Whether he can actually get a hit in a big league game remains to be seen based on the .189 career average in limited at-bats.

The Real Story Is the Dodgers Series

Nobody is going to remember the Berroa callup six months from now. What they will remember is how the Phillies play this weekend in Los Angeles. This is the biggest series on the MLB schedule right now.

The Phillies just swept the Padres in San Diego. They’re rolling. The rotation has been dominant. Wheeler gets the ball Friday night against Justin Wrobleski. NLDS rematch vibes from last October when the Dodgers knocked the Phillies out of the playoffs.

The Phillies are 28-27 after the sweep in San Diego. They’re 19-8 under Mattingly. The rotation has been the best in baseball over the last month. Sanchez just broke a 115-year-old franchise record.

Wheeler hasn’t lost a start since he came back from surgery. Luzardo threw six scoreless on Monday. Even Nola looked like himself on Tuesday before heading to the paternity list.

The Dodgers are the measuring stick. They have been since the NLDS last year. If the Phillies can go into Dodger Stadium and compete with the best team in the National League, the narrative around this season changes completely.

A sweep of San Diego followed by a strong showing in Los Angeles would announce to the rest of the league that the Phillies under Mattingly are legitimate contenders and not just a team that got hot against bad opponents.

Wheeler on the mound Friday. The rotation lines up well for the weekend. The Phillies have won seven of their last eight games. The bats are starting to come alive. The pitching hasn’t slowed down.

Go take the series from the Dodgers and make a statement.

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