Phillies' Rob Thomson Facing Kyle Schwarber Decision After Roster News
The Philadelphia Phillies have struggled to open the 2026 MLB season, entering Saturday with an 8-11 record and looking to snap a three-game losing streak.
One of the biggest issues so far has been the outfield, a group that has provided almost no production outside of Brandon Marsh.
Rookie center fielder Justin Crawford has shown flashes, but Adolis Garcia, signed this offseason to a one-year, $10 million deal, has struggled.
Otto Kemp, who earned an increase in playing time, has really struggled at the bottom of the lineup. With the unit offering little offensively or defensively, the Phillies made a roster move in hopes of finding a spark from the minor leagues.
Ahead of Saturday's matchup against the Atlanta Braves, Philadelphia announced the promotion of outfielder Felix Reyes from Triple-A.
The move gives the Phillies another bat, but it also comes with complications. Reyes can play the outfield, but he is not considered a reliable defender.
Phillies manager Rob Thomson even acknowledged that Reyes "needs reps" in the outfield, per Tim Kelly of On Pattison. With Crawford as the only dependable defender, adding another inexperienced outfielder creates a challenge for an already shaky alignment.
Most of Reyes' value comes from his bat. He has posted a .333 batting average, .345 on-base percentage and 1.000 OPS in 18 Triple-A games this season, forcing his way into the conversation.
Because of that, the Phillies may need to consider adjusting their defensive setup to maximize his offensive impact. One option is giving designated hitterKyle Schwarber occasional starts in left field so Reyes can focus on hitting without being exposed defensively.
It will be interesting to see if Kyle Schwarber is in left field today. When asked whether Felix Reyes' OF defense is "rough" yesterday, Rob Thomson said he "needs reps" in the outfield.
— Tim Kelly (@TimKellySports) April 18, 2026
Schwarber re-signed with Philadelphia this past winter on a five-year, $150 million contract after finishing second in NL MVP voting in 2025. He has begun heating up at the plate again, hitting three home runs and driving in six runs over his last six games.
Schwarber also has experience in left field, logging eight appearances there last season. While he is not a strong defender, he is at least familiar with the position, which may matter if Reyes struggles in the field.
For now, Schwarber remains the designated hitter for Saturday's game against Atlanta, with Reyes getting the start in left.
But if the defensive issues worsen or Reyes' bat becomes too valuable to remove, Thomson will have a decision to make about potentially flipping the two. The Phillies need answers in the outfield, and Reyes' call-up is the latest attempt to find one.
Related: Phillies Lose Player to Tigers Before Cubs Game
Copyright 2026 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved
This story was originally published April 18, 2026 at 7:03 PM.