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Orion Kerkering news
The gist
The Phillies optioned reliever Orion Kerkering to Triple-A with seven games left before the playoffs.
His 9.43 post-All-Star-break ERA leaves the bullpen thin for October.
How it unfolded
- Sep 17, 2026Juan Soto hit a three-run homer off Kerkering with two outs.
- Sep 18, 2026Kerkering started the sixth inning of a one-run game at Citi Field; five batters later Soto hit a three-run homer in a 6-3 Phillies loss. The Phillies (85-69) were tied with the Cubs and Padres for the No. 1 NL Wild Card spot with eight games to play.
- Sep 19, 2026Kerkering allowed four earned runs on four hits and two walks in the eighth inning of a 10-3 loss to the Mets, raising his season ERA to 4.97. The Phillies optioned him to Triple-A Lehigh Valley, per reports.