The Philadelphia Phillies bullpen crossroads will influence what happens to the team going forward. José Alvarado has regressed tremendously. Brad Keller is on the 15-day injured list with what the team has labeled right forearm tendinitis with the placement being made on June 16. Before being placed on the injured list Keller has been shaky this season and needs a reset of some kind. Tanner Banks has been optioned to Triple-A Lehigh Valley after a down year in 2026 following a breakout 2025 season that saw him gaining trust from the organization. Banks is in his last minor league option year which could come into play down the road.
Alvarado has a 3-2 record with a career worst 6.58 ERA and a 3.71 FIP with one save in 32 outings this season. To add to that Alvarado has a 1.73 WHIP and a 3.40 K/BB rate. Opposing batters have a .313 average and a .427 BABIP against Alvarado. That is the highest BAA and BABIP against Alvarado in a single season in his career. Since returning from his 80-game suspension last year Alvarado has a 6.75 ERA and a 4.76 FIP in 40 appearances. In that span Alvarado has a 1.72 WHIP and a 3.20 K/BB rate. Opposing batters have a .311 average and a .396 BABIP during this stretch. Alvarado needs to be in a lower leverage role.
Phillies Bullpen Crossroads
Impending Return From Injury That Could Provide A Boost
Kyle Backhus is in line to return from the injured list in the near future. Backhus has been making rehab appearances in Triple-A and seems to be almost ready to come back. April 30 is when Backhus was placed on the 15-day injured list with left elbow inflammation. Backhus has a 4.66 ERA and a 4.02 FIP in 10 major league outings this year. This season in the majors Backhus has a 1.24 WHIP as well as a 10.00 K/BB rate. While Tim Mayza has been the most reliable left-handed pitcher in the Phillies bullpen Backhus is arguably the second most reliable. This return could play a role in the Phillies bullpen crossroads.
Potential Need For Left-Handed Bullpen Help
With Alvarado underperforming and Banks being demoted the Phillies should be in the trade market for a left-handed relief pitcher. The best trade candidate for this role is Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Aroldis Chapman. This time last year Chapman was also a good trade fit for the Phillies but the Red Sox kept Chapman. So far Chapman has a 0-2 record with a 0.83 ERA and a 1.80 FIP with 14 saves in 22 appearances. This addition could keep the Phillies bullpen crossroads from going wrong. Chapman has a 0.97 WHIP and a 3.22 K/BB rate. Opposing batters have a .158 average and a .255 BABIP against Chapman in 2026.
Who Could Emerge As A Reliable Option
As part of recent roster shuffling Seth Johnson and Bryse Wilson joined the Phillies 26-man roster. Johnson and Wilson could help with the Phillies bullpen crossroads if they can be consistent enough in a positive way. The injury to Keller also gives offseason trade acquisition Jonathan Bowlan a chance to pitch in more high leverage situations. Bowlan has a 0.90 ERA and a 0.90 WHIP in his last 1o outings. Furthermore Bowlan has a 2.45 FIP and a 11.00 K/BB rate in that stretch. Bowlan has earned the opportunity to pitch in more high leverage spots.
Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images
