The Philadelphia Phillies are sending right-handers Taijuan Walker (shoulder) and Orion Kerkering (forearm, illness) on minor-league rehab assignments. Kerkering would then be activated sometime over the weekend. Walker will start his rehab assignment on Thursday with Triple-A Lehigh Valley and will likely make four starts, increasing his pitch count in 15-pitch increments before eventually joining the Phillies' starting rotation. The 31-year-old threw 46 pitches over three innings in a live batting practice session over the weekend and is attempting to return from a right-shoulder impingement he suffered in spring training. The 23-year-old Kerkering got sick in spring training and then suffered a right-forearm strain. When healthy, he'll be a key late-inning bullpen piece for the Phillies but is unlikely to see many, if any, save chances.

Philadelphia Phillies reliever Orion Kerkering has had a couple of successful minor league outings, and if everything goes to plan, the 23-year-old will pitch Tuesday and Thursday next week before rejoining the Phillies over the weekend. Kerkering was generating some preseason buzz after his performance in the minors and at the big league level in 2023, but an illness and a forearm strain threw cold water on it. He's expected to serve in middle relief upon his return, but Jose Alvarado has not looked sharp as the closer and Kerkering could be in the mix should Alvarado continue to falter. Kerkering has big-time strikeout stuff, so if he were to take over as closer he could help out fantasy managers tremendously. He's certainly worthy of the watch list, but also could be a speculative add in deeper leagues.

Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher Orion Kerkering (forearm) pitched on Thursday in Florida, touching 98 mph with his fastball. Kerkering's strained right forearm is healed now, but he is rebuilding arm strength after missing weeks of spring training because of an illness. Expected to be activated as soon as he's eligible on April 9, the 22-year-old right-hander will probably serve as a middle reliever out of Philly's bullpen upon his 2024 debut. But Kerkering is the No. 6 Phillies prospect, per MLB Pipeline, and their likely closer of the future after being tasked with critical innings during the 2023 playoffs, holding his own with a 3.38 ERA (3.07 FIP) and five strikeouts covering 5 1/3 frames last postseason. After Jose Alvarado gave up five runs in Friday's Opening Day loss to the Atlanta Braves, it can't help but feel like Kerkering's fantasy stock rose a bit. He belongs on all watchlists.

Philadelphia Phillies right-hander Orion Kerkering (illness) might not be ready for Opening Day on March 28, according to manager Rob Thomson. Kerkering hasn't pitched in the Grapefruit League since March 1 because of the flu, although he's scheduled to throw at the team's spring complex sometime this week. "He's 22 years old," Thomson said. "We're not going to push this thing." Kerkering has appeared in only two spring games and might need to open the year on the injured list in order to rebuild his strength. The former fifth-round pick in 2022 out of South Florida went from playing in Single-A in 2023 to pitching high-leverage innings in the majors in the postseason last fall. Kerkering has a nasty sinker/slider mix that can make him almost unhittable as a future closer candidate for the Phillies.