Phillies finalize roster with last cut before Opening Day.
The Philadelphia Phillies will open the 2025 MLB season against the Washington Nationals on Thursday, with one of the most competitive spring training battles being for the final bench spot.
After Weston Wilson suffered an oblique strain in February, sidelining him for at least six weeks, several players competed for the last roster spot. Ultimately, the Phillies selected Kody Clemens as the 26th man for Opening Day, per Matt Gelb of The Athletic.
Clemens earned his spot with an impressive spring training, batting .327 with a .900 OPS, six extra-base hits, and seven RBIs in 55 at-bats. The final decision came down to Clemens and Buddy Kennedy, with Cal Stevenson and Christian Arroyo also considered.
Although Kennedy didn’t make the roster, he may still have opportunities elsewhere. Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski stated the team has received trade interest in him. If no trade materializes, Kennedy will be designated for assignment on Thursday.
The decision was particularly tough since both Clemens and Kennedy are out of minor league options. This meant Kennedy had to be removed from the 40-man roster and placed on waivers, where other teams can claim him. If he goes unclaimed and isn’t traded, the Phillies can either assign him to the minors or release him.
Clemens had an edge over Kennedy due to his past experience with the Phillies and strong spring performance. His left-handed bat, power, and defensive versatility made him an asset. Meanwhile, Kennedy showed flashes last season, including a game-tying RBI double against the Mets in September, but struggled at the plate, hitting just .150 in 40 at-bats this spring.
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