Phillies release Wild Card roster with one notable exclusion

The Philadelphia Phillies released their 26-man National League Wild Card roster on Tuesday.

It does not include right-hander Michael Lorenzen.

The Phillies are instead going with 12 pitchers and 14 position players. Cristian Pache, Weston Wilson and Jake Cave are all on the roster. Either Pache or Wilson are likely to start in left field in Game 1 with left-handed pitcher Jeśus Luzardo starting for the Miami Marlins.

As expected, rookie right-hander Orion Kerkering is on the roster. Rob Thomson said Monday that he will use him in a “leverage situation.”

Lorenzen, 31, was brilliant against the Marlins on Aug. 3, his first start with the Phillies. He threw a no-hitter in his next start and hasn’t been the same since then. He has a 6.18 ERA since the no-hitter.

The Phillies tried him in a bullpen role over the last few weeks. Excluding his first outing out of the ‘pen against the Braves, he looked good, but did not show enough to be trusted in high-leverage situations. Unless he’s dealing with an injury, it’s possible Lorenzen could be added to the roster in future rounds if the Phillies advance.

Phillies Nation projected a 13-man pitching staff, but the Phillies will go with a 12-man staff in favor of getting an extra bench spot.

Here’s the Phillies’ 26-man postseason roster:

Pitchers (12): LHP José Alvarado, RHP Seranthony Domínguez, RHP Jeff Hoffman, RHP Orion Kerkering, RHP Craig Kimbrel, RHP Aaron Nola, LHP Cristopher Sánchez, LHP Gregory Soto, LHP Matt Strahm, LHP Ranger Suárez, RHP Taijuan Walker and RHP Zack Wheeler

Position Players (14): Hitters: INF Alec Bohm, OF Nick Castellanos, OF Jake Cave, INF/DH Bryce Harper, OF Brandon Marsh, OF Cristian Pache, C J.T. Realmuto, OF Johan Rojas, OF/DH Kyle Schwarber, INF Edmundo Sosa, INF Bryson Stott, C Garrett Stubbs, INF Trea Turner and OF Weston Wilson

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