Contenders for final two bullpen spots on display in Phillies’ win over the Rays

CLEARWATER, Fla. — With opening day a week away, the battle for the Phillies’ final two bullpen spots is coming down to the wire.

“At the start of camp, I said we’re gonna have some tough decisions,” said manager Rob Thomson. “So we’re still working on it.”

With Jhoan Duran, José Alvarado, Orion Kerkering, Brad Keller, Tanner Banks and Jonathan Bowlan locks for the bullpen, that leaves two open relief slots. It is possible that Kerkering, whose start to the spring was delayed due to a mild hamstring strain, could open the season on the injured list, which would leave another temporary opening.

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Kerkering is set to make his first Grapefruit League appearance on Friday.

The Phillies’ 8-2 win over the Rays on Thursday was a bullpen game, and some of the competitors for those spots were on display.

Left-hander Tim Mayza started the game, and pitched two scoreless and hitless innings. He issued one walk and struck out four. Mayza, who is from Allentown, got four swings-and-misses on his sinker and three on his slider. He has a 5.40 ERA and 1.32 WHIP in eight appearances this spring.

Righty Zach Pop retired all six hitters he faced over two innings. Both his strikeouts came on his sinker, which topped out at 97.9 mph. He has a 4.32 ERA and 1.08 WHIP over eight appearances.

Lou Trivino, Jonathan Hernández, and Génesis Cabrera each pitched scoreless innings Thursday.

“[Pop], really good,” Thomson said. “Mayza, really good. Those guys, they’ve thrown the ball well. Pop’s got big time velocity and sink. Mayza’s slider today was really good.”

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Pop and Backhus, a left-handed sidearmer who did not pitch Thursday, have somewhat separated themselves from the rest of the pack. Backhus has a funky delivery that would offer a different, deceptive look to hitters, and has not allowed a run yet in six games this spring.

Also under consideration is Rule 5 pick Zach McCambley, who must be offered back to the Marlins if he does not make the team. But McCambley has had inconsistent command this spring, with six walks in 7⅓ innings.

Right-handed pitcher Seth Johnson was optioned to triple-A Lehigh Valley prior to Thursday’s game. Thomson thinks Johnson, who appeared in 10 games at the major league level last season, could be a factor at some point this season.

“He’s powering the ball through the strike zone now,” Thomson said. “His secondary pitches have gotten a lot better. He trusts his stuff. He’s a guy now, he really is.”

Otto Kemp and Adolis García homered. García also drew a walk, his seventh of the spring.

Trea Turner hit a 107.5 mph double, and Brandon Marsh finished 2-for-3 with a double and a single.

Justin Crawford laid down a perfect bunt single in the second inning, though he was then caught stealing second. He followed it up with a line-drive single in the sixth.

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Alvarado and Duran also appeared in the bullpen game. Alvarado allowed two solo home runs, both on sinkers in 2-1 counts.

Duran retired the side in order in the sixth, inducing a groundout on the one splitter he threw. Duran added the pitch this spring.

“It’s huge, because Crawford, he gives you that speed, and that creates a lot of chaos,” Thomson said. “And García looks like he’s found his stroke again. He had a huge home run the other day into the wind, and then this one today, he’s had seven walks. He’s really controlling the strike zone. He’s having great at-bats.”

The Phillies host the Tigers on Friday (1:05 p.m., NBCSP+). Cristopher Sánchez is scheduled to start against Detroit lefty Tarik Skubal.

Dylan Moore is scheduled to return to the lineup Friday after fouling a ball off his foot on Wednesday. ... Zack Wheeler (thoracic outlet decompression surgery) will pitch in a minor league game on Monday, marking his first game action of the spring. He will target around 40 pitches. ... The Phillies’ Team USA contingent at the World Baseball Classic — Bryce Harper, Kyle Schwarber, and Keller — were back in Clearwater on Thursday and are set to appear in Friday’s game against Skubal. ... The Phillies reassigned left-handed pitcher Tucker Davidson, right-handed pitcher Bryse Wilson, and catchers Paul McIntosh and René Pinto to minor league camp on Thursday.