Phillies reinstate Orion Kerkering from injured list; option Nick Nelson to Lehigh Valley

Prior to today’s game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, the Phillies returned right-handed pitcher Orion Kerkering from his rehab assignment with single-A Clearwater and reinstated him the 15-day injured list. To make room for him on the 26-man roster, right-handed pitcher Nick Nelson was optioned to triple-A Lehigh Valley following yesterday's game.

Phillies President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowski made the announcement.

Kerkering, 23, opened the season on the injured list with a right forearm strain and made four scoreless appearances while on a rehab assignment between the IronPigs and Threshers. Over his 4.1 innings of work, he allowed just two hits and struck out 10 with no walks. Winner of the 2023 Paul Owens Award, Kerkering made his major league debut for the Phillies last year, appearing in three regular season games and making an additional seven appearances for the club in the postseason.

A native of California, Kerkering was selected by the Phillies in the fifth round of the 2022 MLB Draft.

Nelson, 28, opened the 2024 season with Lehigh Valley, but did not appear in a game. Following his recall to Philadelphia on April 2, the Florida native appeared in three games for the Phillies and allowed two runs in 3.1 innings pitched with five strikeouts.

Nelson was acquired by the Phillies in a trade with the New York Yankees on Nov. 19, 2021. He was originally selected by the Yankees in the fourth round of the 2016 MLB Draft.