Which four players have already been dropped off the Philadelphia Phillies’ 2026 roster? These underperforming players are unlikely to be re-signed, and they will most likely be dealt or released this offseason.
Some of these players were signed to short-term contracts last winter to give the squad depth in specific areas. Others have been with the Phillies for a few seasons, and the organization will simply look for other options at the start of the 2026 regular season.
4 Phillies players who played their way right out of the 2026 plans
Jordan Romano, RHP
Jordan Romano’s lone season with the Phillies was one he’d rather forget. The team signed him hoping he’d be a key late-inning reliever to replace free agents Carlos Estévez and Jeff Hoffman, but the plan completely unraveled. Romano struggled badly, while Estévez and Hoffman went on to rank first and fourth in the league in saves.
The right-hander got off to a rough start and never recovered, ending the year with a -1.7 bWAR—the lowest mark of his seven-year career. He also posted career worsts in earned runs allowed (39) and ERA (8.23). His inconsistency forced manager Rob Thomson to stop using him in high-leverage spots.
For the second straight season, Romano landed on the injured list, this time with inflammation in his right middle finger that later led to neck stiffness and finger numbness, which the team suspected was nerve-related. Given that he only signed a one-year deal last offseason, the 32-year-old isn’t expected to return to Philadelphia in 2026.
Max Kepler, OF
When the Phillies brought in Max Kepler on a one-year, $10 million deal, they were hoping he’d stabilize their outfield. Instead, the gamble didn’t pay off. Even as the club gave him regular starts in left field, the 32-year-old struggled mightily, finishing with an 88 OPS+, his lowest since his rookie season in 2015.
By the end of July, Kepler was hitting just .203/.297/.357 with a .654 OPS and appeared to be a possible release candidate after the trade deadline. He did rebound in August, producing a .273/.298/.491 slash line and a .789 OPS, but the late improvement likely wasn’t enough to save his spot.
President of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski hinted in his postseason press conference that Kepler won’t be back next year, signaling the Phillies will look elsewhere to address their outfield needs.
Nick Castellanos, OF
Despite having one year left on his five-year, $100 million contract, Nick Castellanos’ time in Philadelphia appears to be nearing an end. Reports indicate the Phillies are expected to either trade or release the veteran outfielder this winter.
Manager Rob Thomson implemented an outfield rotation this season, something he hadn’t done before, and Castellanos reportedly wasn’t happy about it. He voiced his frustration after being substituted for defensive reasons and later spoke publicly about his displeasure with reduced playing time—a recurring tension between him and Thomson.
On the field, Castellanos endured one of the worst years of his career, finishing with a .694 OPS, an 88 OPS+, a .294 on-base percentage, and a -1.0 bWAR—all career lows outside of his 2013 debut season. Having fallen far short of the expectations tied to his lucrative deal, it seems increasingly likely that Castellanos’ tenure in Philadelphia will end this offseason.
Weston Wilson, UTL
Weston Wilson’s calling card has always been his versatility. Over his three seasons with the Phillies, manager Rob Thomson has used him all over the diamond—mainly at left field, first base, and second base, with occasional appearances at third, center, and right field.
That type of flexibility is valuable during a 162-game grind, but Wilson’s future with the club looks uncertain. He’s out of minor league options, and the emergence of rookie Otto Kemp this season has further clouded his role.
At the plate, Wilson had his toughest year yet. In a career-high 52 games (125 plate appearances), he hit just .198/.282/.369, producing career lows in OPS (.652), OPS+ (77), and bWAR (-0.5). His limited offensive upside could prompt the Phillies to move on and pursue a more productive, multi-position player through free agency or trade.
