Phillies reinstate Orion Kerkering from the 15-day injured list
A right hamstring strain kept Kerkering out at the start of the season. Kyle Backhus was sent to triple-A Lehigh Valley to make room on the roster.
SAN FRANCISCO — The Phillies officially reinstated Orion Kerkering from the 15-day injured list on Tuesday and optioned right-hander Kyle Backhus to triple-A Lehigh Valley.
Kerkering’s start to the spring was slowed by a mild hamstring strain he suffered before the opening of camp. He made four appearances for triple-A Lehigh Valley as he built up on a rehab assignment, pitching to a 2.25 ERA and 0.75 WHIP.
The Phillies right-hander introduced a splitter over the offseason to his sweeper, sinker, and four-seam arsenal to add a different look to his repertoire.
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Phillies manager Rob Thomson believes the splitter is a major-league-ready pitch.
“It’s been really good,” Thomson said. “And it just gives the hitter different look, gets them off slider a little bit, but it’s got a lot of bottom to it.”
Backhus, a lefty sidearmer, made his first career opening day roster this year. He allowed three earned runs in his first appearance on March 26 but had scoreless outings in his next three appearances out of the bullpen.
“Backhus, every time out, he’s been getting better,” Thomson said.