The Philadelphia Phillies seem ready to make some significant changes before the 2025 season officially opens.
After a disappointing playoff loss to the rival New York Mets in 2024, the team didn’t do much to tweak its roster before spring training. The front office brought in reliever Jordan Romano, starter Jesús Luzardo and outfield option Max Kepler, but seems to be hoping its core of veteran stars can make a deeper run in 2025.
However, a surprising injury has now necessitated another change. After outfielder Weston Wilson suffered an oblique strain that will keep him off the opening day roster, which he described as a “freak accident,” the Phillies have decided to move infielder Edmundo Sosa to his position in hopes of finding a solution.
“Sosa, who started Sunday’s 7-3 loss to the (Baltimore) Orioles at shortstop, will see time this spring in left field and center field,” Corey Seidman reported for NBC Sports Philadelphia. “Manager Rob Thomson said he’d like to see it in a game ‘sooner rather than later, probably within the next week.’”
Sosa enjoyed a strong 2024 campaign, primarily filling in at shortstop, where he posted a .972 fielding percentage. But the Phillies face more of a critical need in the outfield, with the likes of Johan Rojas unable to secure a full-time role due to offensive struggles.
“Johan Rojas is another right-handed hitting center fielder option to pair with (Brandon) Marsh but Rojas struggled offensively last season, whereas Sosa is a legitimate threat against left-handed pitching,” Seidman added. “He hit .284/.347/.514 against lefties last season and his career OPS is 91 points higher than it is against righties.”
After losing Wilson to an unfortunate injury, the Phillies might unlock a key platoon option by getting Sosa some reps in the outfield.
Peter Chawaga is a veteran journalist covering Major League Baseball for The Sporting News. His MLB reporting has included feature interviews with commissioner Rob Manfred and Hall of Fame slugger David Ortiz, salary analysis, player rankings and more. He has covered baseball for Forbes, Yardbarker, Pitcher List, Athlon and other outlets.
With over ten years of newsroom experience, he has previously covered finance, technology, arts, and culture for newspapers, magazines, and websites nationwide. He graduated from Wake Forest University with a degree in English and journalism.
