Matt Strahm #25 of the Philadelphia Phillies
Phillies Reliever Matt Strahm Dealing with Shoulder Issue, Expected to Be Ready for Opening Day
Philadelphia Phillies manager Rob Thomson provided an update on high-leverage reliever Matt Strahm’s shoulder issue, as reported by Paul Casella of MLB.com. While not an ideal situation for the Phillies, Strahm appears to be in good shape and should have ample time to recover before Opening Day on March 27.
The 33-year-old southpaw has found his stride in Philadelphia after years as a journeyman reliever. Before joining the Phillies in 2023, Strahm held a career ERA of 3.81 over 304 2/3 innings. Since then, he has become a critical piece of the bullpen, recording more than half of his career saves (5 of 9) in a Phillies uniform.
Strahm’s 2023 campaign was solid, as he posted a 9-5 record with a 3.29 ERA. However, his true breakout came in 2024, when he emerged as one of the league’s premier relievers. In 66 appearances, he put up a stellar 1.87 ERA and an eye-popping 0.750 WHIP en route to his first All-Star selection. What makes this even more impressive is that Strahm achieved these numbers without consistently handling closing duties.
With the addition of closer Jordan Romano, Strahm is set to be one of the primary setup men in Thomson’s bullpen. While Romano will likely take on the bulk of the ninth-inning duties, Strahm remains an invaluable weapon in high-leverage situations.
One of Strahm’s strengths is his deceptive three-quarter arm slot, making it particularly challenging for left-handed batters to pick up the ball. However, his effectiveness extends beyond lefty matchups, as he actually performed better against right-handed hitters in 2024. His splits from last season highlight his dominance:
- Against lefties: 19.0 IP, 21 strikeouts, 0.950 WHIP
- Against righties: 43.0 IP, 58 strikeouts, 0.670 WHIP
Strahm’s success is not built on overpowering velocity but rather on a well-rounded four-pitch mix and exceptional command. His ability to keep hitters off balance makes him a vital piece of Philadelphia’s bullpen as they gear up for another playoff push.
While his shoulder issue is not expected to linger, it will be something to monitor as the season progresses. Given his importance to the Phillies’ late-inning strategy, keeping Strahm healthy will be a priority for the team in 2025.
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