Charlotte Varnes

Phillies’ Andrew Painter, with greater fastball command and intention, is back There was a breeziness to Sunday's spring outing that simply wasn’t present last season as Painter labored during start after start.

Andrew Painter is back. So is his fastball command. And, after the Triple A “rollercoaster,” he’s approaching the game with greater intention.

“It didn’t speed up on me. That’s a big thing. Just take a deep breath, and (don’t) allow the game to speed up.”

www.nytimes.com/athletic/707...

Zack Wheeler and Aaron Nola throwing this morning:

Otto Kemp balances defensive work in Phillies camp: ‘You’ve got to get exposed’ Kemp is doing outfield and infield drills each day, with reps at various positions during games. A look inside his spring camp.

When Otto Kemp struggled to make a play at the wall yesterday, outfield coach Paco Figueroa told him, “I’m happy that happened because that’s how you learn. You’ve got to get exposed.”

A look at Kemp’s work in LF this spring: www.nytimes.com/athletic/707...

Justin Crawford loves the art of bunting. He aims to embrace it with the Phillies The Phillies are encouraging the speedy center fielder to work on bunting to get on base and create chaos. Crawford is taking it to heart.

Bunting for hits isn’t cool anymore. Maybe Justin Crawford is the guy to bring it back. “I love it,” he said. A silly spring story: www.nytimes.com/athletic/705...

What Adolis García is working on as he seeks return to All-Star form with Phillies “It’s keeping him healthy, making sure the quality (at-bats are) there and then, the mechanical adjustments,” hitting coach Kevin Long said.

Adolis García was surprised at some of the pitches he was able to sit on during live BP yesterday. The Phillies are optimistic it’s the start of something good:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/705...

Introducing Down on the Pharm, a Phillies prospect pod with the IronPigs’ Sam Jellinek!

We’ll have episodes every couple of weeks. Here’s our intro episode on spring training, what 2026 could hold and more ✌🏻🌴
open.spotify.com/episode/4VDs...

podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id18...

Trea Turner said he would’ve been interested in playing in the WBC, but he was not reached out to.

Phillies’ Andrew Painter begins an important spring training with a higher arm slot No pitcher in Phillies camp will be more scrutinized this spring than Painter, who is expected to begin the season in the club's rotation.

No pitcher in Phillies camp will be scrutinized more this spring than Andrew Painter. How one adjustment he's already made could help: www.nytimes.com/athletic/704...

Bryce Harper didn’t have the year he wanted. Still, he found ‘elite’ comment ‘wild’ Nearly four months after Dave Dombrowski initially made the comment about the Phillies star, they are again at the forefront.

“For me, it was wild — the whole situation happening. The big thing for me was, when we first met with this organization, it was, ‘Hey, we’re always going to keep things in-house, and we expect you to do the same thing.’”

Bryce spoke: www.nytimes.com/athletic/704...

Phillies’ Brad Keller found success as a reliever, but embraces starters’ arsenal Keller and the Phillies plan to maintain his five-pitch arsenal — fastball, slider, sweeper, changeup and sinker — to maximize his options.

Brad Keller broke through as a reliever last season. Why he’s still embracing a starter’s arsenal, and what he’s working on as camp begins:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/704...

The Phillies are releasing Nick Castellanos.

[AD-FREE] Justin the (Pinstriped) Red | Phillies Therapy Get more from Phillies Therapy on Patreon

New PT! Matt and I talk with @charlottevarnes.bsky.social about her feature with Justin Crawford and Eric Davis, plus some more Bohmhead Banter. Live and ad-free for Patreon now, public episode later this afternoon.
www.patreon.com/posts/149761...

Inside Phillies prospect Justin Crawford's outfield boot camp. His teacher: Eric Davis

Justin Crawford wanted to improve his defense this offseason. So, he spent two weeks participating in a makeshift defensive boot camp in Phoenix.

His teacher? Former All-Star CF Eric Davis.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/701...

Phillies mailbag: Justin Crawford’s defense, ‘running it back,’ extending Jesús Luzardo There are questions to be answered about the club's top prospects, how the roster shaped up and more. Let's take a crack at some of them.

Answered some questions about Crawford’s defense, Aidan Miller, the A’s (?!) and more in this Phillies mailbag.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/700...

Got Phillies questions?

Ask them here, in our latest mailbag: nytimes.com/athletic/69993…

What righty Brad Keller brings to the Phillies after his breakthrough 2025

The right handed side of the Phillies’ bullpen is looking up. What Brad Keller brings to the group: www.nytimes.com/athletic/691...

Why the Phillies are betting on Adolis García despite his struggles

The Phillies are betting on Adolis García returning to some version of his All-Star self. Why, and what they’re looking to fix:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/689...

Phillies to land right-handed bullpen help in deal with Brad Keller: Sources Keller is coming off an impressive bounceback season with the Cubs.

More here on the Phillies adding Brad Keller to their bullpen: www.nytimes.com/athletic/683...

Phillies are finalizing a one-year, $10 million deal with outfielder Adolis García, sources confirm @francysromero.bsky.social report. García, who was non-tendered by Texas, will slot into right field. Phillies hoping for a bounce-back season once again.

Phillies notes: Why Kyle Schwarber returned, pitching additions, Wheeler’s rehab Schwarber's teammates and coaches appreciated his leadership, work ethic and character. He has embraced them in turn.

Some Phillies notes from Orlando: why Kyle Schwarber returned, a Rule 5 breakdown and a Wheeler update www.nytimes.com/athletic/687...

The Washington Nationals selected Griff McGarry with the third pick in the Rule 5 Draft.

Kyle Schwarber is back, but change is coming to Phillies' roster

“I’m not so sure that when you win 96 games that you should really look to have to do a lot of things differently. But you’re always looking to get better.”

The Phillies’ core is poised to return. But it doesn’t mean there will be zero change come 2026: www.nytimes.com/athletic/687...

Kyle Schwarber to re-sign with Phillies on five-year, $150 million deal: Source

He’s back.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...

Story — www.nytimes.com/athletic/687...

There’s mutual interest between the Phillies and Don Mattingly in hiring him as bench coach, Dave Dombrowski said. They’re working through final details.

Maybe the best college football story ever told belongs to the Indiana Hoosiers. For IU football, Saturday night delivered the perfect moment. It will last forever:
www.indystar.com/story/sports... via @indystar #iufb

The Phillies revamped their scouting in Japan. Now, can they break through? The club has bolstered its scouting operation in Japan, but challenges remain as it seeks to tap into the country's talent-rich pipeline.

The Phillies know what they’re up against when trying to sign Japanese talent: no direct flight between Tokyo and Philadelphia, a lack of a legacy in the country.

But they’ve revamped their scouting operation in Japan. Now, can they break through?
www.nytimes.com/athletic/685...

How Phillies fans feel about Kyle Schwarber, J.T. Realmuto, the offseason and more It's a time of uncertainty, and that sentiment is seemingly reflected in how fans feel about the club's direction. See our survey results.

How do Phillies fans feel about the team’s direction, re-signing Schwarber and Realmuto & the club’s offseason priorities?

All of that and way more can be found in our fan survey results: www.nytimes.com/athletic/685...

Phillies fan survey: How do you feel about the team and this offseason?

It’s been almost three years since The Athletic’s last Phillies fan survey.

A lot has happened since then! Share your feelings on offseason priorities, the direction of the club and more, to be compiled in a story next week: www.nytimes.com/athletic/683...

Phillies protect 3 prospects from Rule 5 draft: What you need to know Here is an overview of the three prospects, and a look at whom the Phillies chose not to protect.

Phillies add three to 40-man roster. No surprises. But all three could factor somehow in 2026. Here’s @charlottevarnes.bsky.social: www.nytimes.com/athletic/681...