The Philadelphia Phillies’ offseason has taken yet another frustrating turn. After falling short in pursuits of marquee names like Kyle Tucker and Bo Bichette, the club has now been hit with troubling news involving one of its own.
Rojas had been expected to represent the Dominican Republic in the international tournament. That opportunity is now off the table. Depending on the nature of the substance involved, the situation could also impact his standing in the Phillies’ spring training outfield competition.
What This Means for Philadelphia’s Outfield Picture
Philadelphia’s outfield is already undergoing major changes following the departures of Max Kepler, Harrison Bader, and Nick Castellanos. The current projection has Brandon Marsh handling most of the duties in left field, likely in a platoon arrangement. Highly regarded rookie Justin Crawford is slated to take over as the everyday center fielder, while newly added Adolis Garcia is expected to anchor right field.
With that alignment, opportunities for Rojas were already limited. He is also competing for reserve at-bats alongside players like Otto Kemp and other depth options. Given those circumstances, the timing of this report could not be worse.
Spring training was shaping up to be a pivotal stretch for Rojas to reestablish himself. However, through 11 at-bats this spring, he has managed just one hit, doing little to strengthen his case so far.
A Look Back at Rojas’ Career
The Phillies signed Rojas as an international free agent in 2018, and he made his MLB debut in 2023. In his rookie campaign, he impressed over 59 games, batting .302 with a .771 OPS while stealing 14 bases and compiling 2.4 bWAR. Power was never a significant part of his profile, as he hit only two home runs that season.
According to MLB insider Wilber Sánchez, Phillies outfielder Johan Rojas has tested positive for a banned substance. Sánchez reported that the Dominican center fielder will be ineligible to compete in the 2026 World Baseball Classic as a result of the positive test.
His offensive production declined in subsequent years. In 2024, he appeared in 120 games and hit .243 with a .601 OPS, swiping 25 bases but struggling with overall efficiency at the plate. Last season, across 71 games, he posted a .224 average and a .569 OPS with 12 steals, numbers that left him battling for a roster spot heading into 2026.
Defensively, Rojas has been far more consistent. A natural center fielder, he recorded +5 Outs Above Average in 2025, according to Baseball Savant. Even that marked his lowest OAA total in three seasons, underscoring his strong reputation in the field.
His speed remains elite. In 2025, he averaged 30.1 feet per second in sprint speed, ranking in the 99th percentile leaguewide and ahead of burners like Corbin Carroll and Pete Crow-Armstrong.
While his bat has lagged behind, his defense and speed still hold value. The unknown surrounding the banned substance and any potential disciplinary action from Major League Baseball could ultimately determine not only his 2026 outlook, but possibly the trajectory of his career with Philadelphia.