The Philadelphia Phillies head into the MLB offseason looking to make the right roster moves to finally push past their recent roadblocks. Despite winning the NL East in back-to-back seasons, they’ve fallen short in the playoffs both times, exiting in the NLDS.
They also face a lengthy list of key free agents. Designated hitter Kyle Schwarber and starter Ranger Suarez declined their qualifying offers on Tuesday, and the team still has plenty of roster gaps to address even if they manage to bring both players back. Catcher J.T. Realmuto and outfielder Max Kepler are also hitting the open market.
As the Phillies continue evaluating their MLB free-agency options, the club made three internal additions to the 40-man roster on Tuesday. Those moves brought the total to 33 players, leaving seven spots still available.
“The Phillies have selected the contracts of right-handed pitchers Alex McFarlane and Andrew Painter and outfielder Gabriel Rincones Jr. to the 40-man roster. With these transactions, the club’s 40-man roster currently stands at 33 players,” the team announced on X.
The most intriguing addition is right-hander Andrew Painter. The 22-year-old starter, a first-round pick in the 2021 MLB Draft, was viewed as a possible late-season call-up during last year’s playoff push but ultimately stayed in the minors. Painter had a tough 2025 at the Triple-A level, recording a 5.40 ERA over 22 starts, but his triple-digit fastball and strong command still make him a high-upside arm.
Right-hander Alex McFarlane is projected to factor into the bullpen mix for Rob Thomson in 2026. Outfielder Gabriel Rincones Jr. could offer valuable left-handed depth, especially if Max Kepler departs in free agency. The 24-year-old played all three outfield spots and hit .240 with a .370 OBP and .799 OPS in 119 Triple-A games with Lehigh Valley.
Together, the trio provides the Phillies with internal solutions for roster needs — a meaningful boost as they attempt to navigate free agency and trade-market challenges.