After ending their brutal 10-game losing streak on Saturday, the Philadelphia Phillies were unable to build momentum, falling once again to the first-place Atlanta Braves. Starter Aaron Nola surrendered six runs, while the Phillies lineup managed only two hits in another disappointing performance.
As the team’s struggles continue, speculation has started to grow about major changes within the organization, with manager Rob Thomson increasingly under pressure.
Thomson has been with the Phillies since 2018, originally joining as bench coach. He later became interim manager in 2022 before earning the full-time role.
Now, with the defending NL East champions losing 15 of their last 18 games, questions about Thomson’s future are becoming louder. Still, the veteran skipper says he is not focused on the noise.
Following Sunday’s loss to Atlanta, Phillies beat writer Todd Zolecki shared Thomson’s response when asked about his job security.
“Well, I mean, that’s natural, right?” Thomson said after a reporter raised the topic. “It’s normal. And I’ve never worried about that in my entire career. I worked for a guy for 28 years [Yankees owner George Steinbrenner] who, as the ‘Seinfeld’ episode will tell you, ‘Fires people like it’s a bodily function,’ and it never bothered me. It didn’t. I don’t have time to think about it. I’m a person that thinks about other people and what can I do to help them. And it’s out of my control. So that’s where I’m at.”
Thomson’s run in Philadelphia has largely been successful, though the club has repeatedly struggled to finish strong when it matters most.
MLB reporter Michael Marino noted on X that the Phillies dismissed manager Joe Girardi after a 22-29 start in 2022, only to rally all the way to the World Series afterward. Ironically, the manager who led that turnaround was Thomson himself, making the current situation even more notable.
One of Philadelphia’s struggling stars, Kyle Schwarber, was also asked whether he believes a coaching or front-office change is necessary.
“No, I don’t think so.”
“I feel like we have the right people here, and we’ve got the right people to figure it out,” Schwarber added. “You know, it’s not like [we’re] saying that we think a change is needed, you know? You as a player, feel responsible for that. We’re the ones who are out there.”
Schwarber is currently hitting just .196 this season and leads the team with 40 strikeouts.
Social Media Takes Their Stance On Potential Phillies Personnel Change
Frustration is rising across Philadelphia as fans voice anger over the team’s current state. Many supporters believe changes are needed throughout the organization.
Kevin Long, the Phillies’ hitting coach, has become a common target as he oversees one of the league’s least productive offenses.
@MichaelStubel: I suspect the Phillies will make a big move tomorrow, whether that’s releasing Bohm or firing Thomson—or both.
Alec Bohm has also endured a miserable start to 2026. Through 27 games and 98 at-bats, the third baseman owns a .143/.218/.194 slash line.
Long and Thomson are not the only names being discussed. Many fans also believe that if Thomson is dismissed, president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski should be next.
Dombrowski has faced criticism for recent free-agent decisions that have created financial concerns and left the Phillies in a difficult long-term position.