The Philadelphia Phillies are preparing for what could be one final championship run for its loaded core of veteran stars.

After the 2025 season, the team might see key players like Kyle Schwarber and JT Realmuto depart for new deals in free agency. That could make each game in the coming campaign critical, as the veteran players are running out of time to make good on their World Series aspirations.

And while the team is expecting to largely run it back in 2025, it could be without another one of its veterans for Opening Day.

After reigning All-Star reliever Matt Strahm felt some shoulder discomfort and struggled from the mound in a spring training appearance, he has been shut down and working toward a recovery in time for the start of the season. But in a recent update, manager Rob Thomson outlined why he could be held out of the debut bullpen.

“I think that there’s a chance, OK,” Thomson said, per The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Scott Lauber. “But we still have to lengthen him out… He’ll throw a (live batting practice) in there in between. So, those things take some time.”

Strahm will have to take on a larger role for the Phillies this season following the departures of Jeff Hoffman and Carlos Estévez. The team did add free agent Jordan Romano to the relief corps this offseason, but it’s likely to go with a closer-by-committee approach with Strahm figuring to play a significant role.

As a result, the Phillies won’t rush him back to the mound. And, if he does miss Opening Day, his stint on the injured list could be relatively short.

“The Phillies put Strahm on a standard throwing progression, a precursor to clearing him to pitch in a game, and well, the calendar isn’t his friend,” Lauber added. “And because MLB rules permit teams to backdate a stint on the injured list by a maximum of three days — in this case, to March 24, three days before the season begins — Strahm could miss as few as nine games if he opens on the 15-day IL.”

There’s still time for Strahm to recover and join the team to open up the season, but it seems the Phillies would prefer to take their time.