The Phillies announced Wednesday that Kerkering will be delayed at the start of spring training while he recovers from a Grade 1 hamstring strain, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Kerkering will be limited to rehab work in the early stages of camp, but because he's typically deployed as a one-inning reliever, he won't need much ramp-up time once he's cleared to get back on a mound. The hard-throwing right-hander hasn't quite developed into the reliable high-leverage option the Phillies envisioned when he first reached the big leagues in 2023, but he'll be a key part of the bridge to closer Jhoan Duran in 2026.

Kerkering allowed one run on three hits in one inning Sunday against the Diamondbacks.

EDGE Analysis

Kerkering has now yielded one run in three consecutive outings, and he's watched his ERA for the year climb from 2.81 on Aug. 19 to 3.28 following Sunday's showing. With Jose Alvarado (forearm) now out of the picture, Kerkering still remains very likely to make Philadelphia's playoff roster despite his recent struggles. Through 57.2 innings in 2025, Kerkering has a 3.28 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and 61:26 K:BB.

Kerkering earned the save in Sunday's 3-2 win over the Nationals, allowing one run on one hit and no walks with one strikeout in the ninth inning.

EDGE Analysis

With Jhoan Duran unavailable after pitching on back-to-back days, Kerkering was called on in the ninth and closed the door despite surrendering a solo homer. The 24-year-old now owns a 2.92 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 51:21 K:BB to go along with 19 holds and four saves across 49.1 innings this season.

Kerkering picked up the save in Monday's 4-1 win against the Reds, pitching a clean inning with one strikeout.

EDGE Analysis

The Philadelphia righty smoothly collected his first save since June 19 in this 10-pitch outing. The Phillies' usual closer, Jhoan Duran, did not appear in Monday's contest after pitching consecutive games on Saturday and Sunday. Kerkering is likely the preferred backup saves option to Duran, as Jordan Romano pitched the seventh Monday (and collected the win) while David Robertson handled the eighth. Across 44.2 total innings, Kerkering sports a 2.62 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 47:19 K:BB while tallying three saves.

Kerkering picked up a hold Sunday against the Rangers after allowing one hit and no walks with no strikeouts in a scoreless eighth inning.

EDGE Analysis

After working his way into the closing picture for a brief stretch amidst Jordan Romano's struggles, Kekering has since reverted back to his role as a setup man for new closer Jhoan Duran. Kerkering has been very effective at preventing runs, posting a 1.67 ERA and 35:13 K:BB over 32.1 innings since the beginning of May, and he should continue to work in high-leverage spots for the Phillies.

Phillies manager Rob Thomson said that Kerkering was unavailable to pitch in Tuesday's 4-3 loss to the Giants due to soreness but is available Wednesday, Lochlahn March of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

EDGE Analysis

Kerkering might have gotten a save chance had he been available Tuesday. Instead, the Phillies turned to Jordan Romano, who gave up three runs in the ninth inning to take a blown save and loss. The source of Kerkering's soreness isn't known, but he will evidently be ready Wednesday, if needed. Kerkering has notched two saves for the Phillies this season.

Kerkering (5-3) was charged with the loss in Thursday's 2-1 defeat to the Astros, giving up one run on two hits with no strikeouts in the eighth inning.

EDGE Analysis

Although it was not a save situation, the 24-year-old right-hander allowed his first earned run since his May 6 outing. Thursday ended a streak of 19 appearances without an earned run for Kerkering, who was summoned to face the top of Houston's lineup but failed to keep the game tied. Kerkering has still worked to a 1.16 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 21:11 K:BB over his last 23.1 innings, so he should remain in Philadelphia's high-leverage mix going forward.

Kerkering picked up the save after allowing one hit with no strikeouts during a scoreless ninth inning in Thursday's 2-1 win over Miami.

EDGE Analysis

It was the second save of the season for Kerkering, who certainly appears to have worked his way into Philadelphia's ninth-inning mix. Each of his two saves for the year have come in his past three outings, and the right-hander is now riding a streak of 16.1 consecutive innings without yielding an earned run. The Phillies seem to be intent on having a committee at closer perhaps until one of Kerkering, Matt Strahm or Jordan Romano emerges from the high-leverage pack, as it's worth noting Strahm also has two saves in his last three appearances.

Kerkering secured the save in Monday's 5-2 win at Miami, pitching a clean inning with one strikeout.

EDGE Analysis

The 24-year-old required just 12 pitches, nine of which were strikes, to pick up his first save of the season. Kerkering has now made 16 consecutive appearances without allowing an earned run, a span during which he's tossed 14.1 innings with a 13:7 K:BB. Jordan Romano, the Philadelphia saves leader, pitched in the seventh inning, while Matt Strahm, who secured the save Saturday, pitched in the eighth of Monday's contest. If Phillies manager Rob Thomson is trending towards employing a closer committee, Kerkering, with his 2.54 ERA across 28.1 total innings, could be in line for more save opportunities.

Kerkering (5-2) threw a clean eighth inning in Saturday's 3-2 victory over the Blue Jays, striking out one while earning the win.

EDGE Analysis

Kerkering has been excellent in relief for over a month now -- he last conceded an earned run back on May 6. The 24-year-old right-hander's streak of no earned runs is up to 13.1 innings, during which he owns a 1.20 WHIP and 12:7 K:BB. It was interesting to see the Phillies bypass presumed closer Jordan Romano in a save opportunity in favor of left-hander Matt Strahm on Saturday, which suggests the club may have an unclear bullpen hierarchy that could also leave the door open for Kerkering to work his way into the mix.