Kody Clemens has won the final spot on the Phillies’ Opening Day roster, president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski told reporters in Clearwater on Monday morning.
The left-handed-hitting Clemens and right-handed-hitting Buddy Kennedy had made it down to the final day of spring training in their competition for the last spot on the bench. Both are out of minor-league options and would have to be passed through waivers before accepting a minor-league assignment, so the Phillies knew all along they could lose whichever one doesn’t make the team unless a trade is worked out before Thursday’s opener.
Clemens has demonstrated his value as an extra man with the Phils over the last two seasons, playing seven different positions and coming up with several big hits late in games. Clemens hit a game-tying homer in the ninth inning of a game against the Nationals last May that the Phillies won in extras. In early September, he doubled in the ninth inning in Toronto to set up Kyle Schwarber’s game-winning homer. The next week, Clemens hit a walk-off single to beat the Rays.
Clemens went 16-for-52 (.308) this spring with two homers and seven RBI. Kennedy hit for power and drew walks throughout Grapefruit League play as well, and there was some thought that he might make it because of his right-handed bat. The Phillies are lefty-heavy with Bryce Harper, Kyle Schwarber, Max Kepler, Bryson Stott and Brandon Marsh in the starting lineup, and they use a right-handed pinch-hitter for Stott or Marsh far more often than they use a lefty pinch-hitter for Trea Turner, Alec Bohm, Nick Castellanos or J.T. Realmuto. But still, Clemens has shown enough to earn a place on the roster.
A part of the decision was likely the Phillies’ comfort in using Sosa occasionally in the outfield. He played 23 innings in left field this spring and five in center. Weston Wilson, a right-handed hitter, strained his oblique just before spring training games began and the injury was believed to carry a six-week timetable. The Phillies will ease him back but he could potentially be in play for a bench job by late-April if he finds his timing quickly in the minors. Wilson does have an option year remaining.
This is how the Phillies’ 26-man roster, which needs to be submitted to the league by Thursday afternoon, looks:
Catchers (2)
J.T. Realmuto, Rafael Marchan
Infielders (4)
Bryce Harper, Bryson Stott, Trea Turner, Alec Bohm
Outfielders (5)
Kyle Schwarber, Max Kepler, Brandon Marsh, Nick Castellanos, Johan Rojas
Utility (2)
Edmundo Sosa, Kody Clemens
Starting pitchers (5)
Zack Wheeler, Jesus Luzardo, Aaron Nola, Cristopher Sanchez, Taijuan Walker
Relievers (8)
Matt Strahm, Jordan Romano, Jose Alvarado, Orion Kerkering, Tanner Banks, Jose Ruiz, Joe Ross, Carlos Hernandez
Injured list (2)
Ranger Suarez (back), Weston Wilson (oblique)
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