ORION KERKERING NEWS

Throws clean inning Thursday Kerkering threw a clean inning in Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Rays, striking out two while picking up a hold.

Impact Kerkering now holds a 3.00 ERA and 1.00 WHIP while fanning three over three innings during spring training so far. The 23-year-old right-hander showed plenty of promise out of Philadelphia's bullpen in his first full season in the major leagues, featuring a 2.29 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 74:14 K:BB across 63 frames a year ago. Kerkering is slated to start 2025 in a setup role behind presumed closer Jordan Romano, but it's not out of the question that the former sees some ninth-inning work at some point later in the season after the latter struggled in 2024 before undergoing elbow surgery.

MARCH 7 • ROTOWIRE

Phillies Notebook: Without Jose Alvarado, Orion Kerkering can expect more left on his plate Rob Thomson Tuesday labeled Orion Kerkering as the next highest-leverage option against lefties behind Matt Strahm until Jose Alvarado retur...

AUGUST 28, 2024 • MCALL.COM

Opening Saturday Kerkering will serve as the Philles' opener Saturday against the Mariners, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

Impact Kerkering has opened a game once already this season, during which he posted a scoreless inning against the A's. He'll now be asked to do the same versus Seattle, giving bulk reliever Kolby Allard one less matchup against the Mariners' top three hitters.

AUGUST 3, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Working as opening pitcher Sunday Kerkering will serve as the Phillies' opening pitcher for Sunday's game against the Athletics, Tim Kelly of PhilliesNation.com reports.

Impact Kerkering will be making the first start of his professional career, but the Phillies are unlikely to ask him to cover more than the opening frame or two, given that the hard-throwing reliever hasn't recorded more than five outs in any appearance this season. Though he's given up a hit in all but two of his last nine relief outings, Kerkering struck out 10 batters and hasn't allowed a run during that stretch, bringing his ERA down to a shiny 1.30. Michael Mercado is expected to operate as a bulk reliever for the Phillies once Kerkering exits Sunday's contest.

JULY 14, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Why the Phillies are encouraging Orion Kerkering to throw his two-seam fastball more often The 23-year-old reliever had sweeping success with his sweeper last season. The idea now is to be less predictable.

MAY 6, 2024 • INQUIRER.COM

Phillies' Orion Kerkering reinstated from injured list; Nick Nelson optioned to triple A Kerkering made the most of his time on in the injured list, incorporating a two-seam fastball into his arsenal.

APRIL 14, 2024 • INQUIRER.COM

Phillies reinstate Orion Kerkering (forearm) from IL The Philadelphia Phillies returned right-hander Orion Kerkering from his rehab assignment with Single-A Clearwater on Sunday and reinstated...

APRIL 14, 2024 • KANSASCITY.COM

Orion Kerkering is back with the Phillies, and expectations are high: 'How good can he be?' The Phillies think Kerkering can be great. They have challenged him to think about what greatness as a big-league reliever is.

APRIL 14, 2024 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Will be activated Sunday Kerkering (forearm) will be activated from the injured list before Sunday's game versus the Pirates, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

Impact Kerkering got a late start to the season due to illness and a right forearm strain, but he looked sharp on his rehab assignment with a 10:0 K:BB over 4.1 shutout innings. The 23-year-old might be eased into high-leverage situations, but it shouldn't be long before he's one of the Phillies' most trusted relievers.

APRIL 13, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Phillies expect Orion Kerkering to be ready to return when IL stint ends April 9 Kerkering, who is on the 15-day injured list with a right forearm strain, is scheduled to pitch Saturday and Tuesday at triple-A Lehigh Vall...

MARCH 28, 2024 • INQUIRER.COM

Phillies thoughts: Johan Rojas should stay (for now); Orion Kerkering concerns; evaluating the bullpen hype We'll know soon enough whether Rojas will stick in the majors. Kerkering is not ready to start the season after a long bout with the flu.

MARCH 25, 2024 • INQUIRER.COM

Still rebuilding strength after flu Phillies manager Rob Thomson said Monday that Kerkering is still rebuilding his strength after a bout with the flu and might not be ready for Opening Day, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com r...

Impact Kerkering hasn't made a Grapefruit League appearance since March 1 and is still working on regaining his stamina. While the illness is not a long-term concern, it has limited him to just two outings this spring and the Phillies don't want to rush the young reliever back. If Kerkering does have to wind up missing some time, he shouldn't be out long.

MARCH 18, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Phillies rookie Orion Kerkering readies for key bullpen role, more tests in 2023 Kerkering represents the Phillies' biggest personnel "change" from 2023 to 2024. They have an uncommon level of faith in the 22-year-old.

JANUARY 18, 2024 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Marcus Hayes: Rob Thomson blew Game 3 for the Phillies when he brought in rookie Orion Kerkering PHOENIX — Rob Thomson blew Game 3 when he brought in rookie Orion Kerkering. Craig Kimbrel took the 2-1 loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks in...

OCTOBER 20, 2023 • CHARLOTTEOBSERVER.COM

Marcus Hayes: Rob Thomson blew Game 3 for the Phillies when he brought in rookie Orion Kerkering PHOENIX — Rob Thomson blew Game 3 when he brought in rookie Orion Kerkering. Craig Kimbrel took the 2-1 loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks in...

OCTOBER 20, 2023 • SUNHERALD.COM

Pitching Ninja's filthiest pitches (so far) of 2023 MLB posteason

The MLB playoffs have delivered a bunch of filthy pitching — and here are some of Pitching Ninja's favorites.

OCTOBER 18, 2023

From callups to glow-ups: Pair of rookie relievers on a roll ahead of NLCS PHILADELPHIA -- As of Sept. 1, neither D-backs left-hander Andrew Saalfrank nor Phillies right-hander Orion Kerkering had thrown a pitch in...

OCTOBER 14, 2023 • MLB.COM

Orion Kerkering rising for the Phillies in NLDS after amazing climb through minors

Six months ago, Orion Kerkering was pitching before a few thousand fans in the Florida State League

OCTOBER 8, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Orion Kerkering is known for his slider and his mental toughness. Meet the coach who taught him both. The 22-year-old Kerkering has a legit shot at making the Phillies' postseason roster, and it's largely because of that devastating pitch and...

SEPTEMBER 29, 2023 • INQUIRER.COM

David Murphy: Did Orion Kerkering just change the Phillies' postseason plans? I’m not saying that you should pencil the Phillies’ Orion Kerkering into the eighth or ninth inning of Game 7 of the National League Champio...

SEPTEMBER 26, 2023 • CHARLOTTEOBSERVER.COM

A 7-year-old Orion Kerkering watched the Phillies in the 2008 World Series. Now he's making an unlikely bid for their playoff roster. Kerkering’s father, who was weeping during Orion’s electric Phillies debut, is enjoying the “surreal” experience of his son’s rapid ascent.

SEPTEMBER 25, 2023 • INQUIRER.COM