Philadelphia Phillies reliever Orion Kerkering appears to be on track for a return to the Majors following a standout performance for the Clearwater Threshers on Thursday.
Kerkering, who took the mound in the ninth inning of a 10-5 victory for the Threshers, showcased his prowess by striking out all three hitters he faced. This marked his fourth appearance since embarking on his rehab stint in the minors. Throughout this period, he has exhibited impressive form, tallying 10 strikeouts over 4.1 innings while conceding no runs or walks and allowing just two hits. Notably, he commenced his rehab journey with Triple-A Lehigh Valley on March 30 before transitioning between the Iron Pigs and Clearwater over the past fortnight.
According to MLB.com, barring any setbacks, Kerkering is expected to rejoin the Phillies on Sunday, coinciding with the conclusion of their four-game series against the Pittsburgh Pirates. However, his return will necessitate a corresponding roster move by the Phillies, who placed him on the 15-day injured list on March 28 due to a right forearm strain.
Kerkering made his debut in the Majors last September, where he delivered commendable performances, posting a 3.00 ERA across three games with six strikeouts and two walks. His notable contributions earned him a spot on the postseason roster, where he further solidified his presence by making seven appearances and concluding with a 3.38 ERA, striking out five batters while issuing three walks.
Drafted in the fifth round of the 2022 MLB Draft from South Florida, Kerkering boasts an impressive minor league record, registering a 6-1 record with a stellar 1.66 ERA across 59 games.