PHILADELPHIA — The big names in the Philadelphia Phillies batting order will look mostly the same in 2026 as 2025, unreinforced by a big-ticket free-agent bat. Manager Rob Thomson, though, is looking at what will change: namely a few alterations around the edges that he hopes will elevate an aging core. The Phillies this offseason have touted top prospects Andrew Painter and Justin Crawford being elevated, respectively, to the starting rotation and “every chance” to play in center field. Adolis Garcia was the main offseason addition to the lineup in place of the unwanted but not yet dealt Nick Castellanos. And the bullpen will look substantively different thanks to the arrival of Brad Keller, the jettisoning of Matt Strahm and a shift toward more right-handed power. So Thomson, at a media availability Tuesday at Citizens Bank Park, didn’t take to the “run it back” narrative that has gone from being praiseworthy in 2022 to derided in 2026. “We’re going to have three new relievers,” Thomson said. “We’ve got a new right fielder. Crawford’s going to get every chance to play. We’ve probably got a rookie starting pitcher in Painter. We’ve got Otto Kemp, who wasn’t here at the start of last year. So we’re turning over 20 to 25 percent of our roster. So if you think that’s running it back, whatever the saying is, I can’t help you.” The Phillies don’t have a major upgrade. They don’t have Bo Bichette, with whom they were close to a deal before the Mets swooped in with more money on a shorter, opt-out-laden deal. They didn’t land Kyle Tucker, a Dodger at a $60 million per year price tag. They didn’t retain Ranger Suarez, off to the Red Sox, but they did keep J.T. Realmuto, officially re-signed Tuesday as a pivot after the Bichette deal disintegrated. So the perception is rooted in some fact. But it’s not the way Thomson is looking at it. • • • Kemp had two offseason procedures to clean up his shoulder and knee, the latter removing a bone fragment. The front office has touted the 26-year-old as a possible impact piece after a .234 average, eight homers and 28 RBIs in his rookie season. Thomson expects most of that opportunity to come in the outfield, saying he could see Kemp as a full platoon option in left field. “I think some corner outfield and a little bit of infield work, third base, second base, maybe a little bit of first base, too,” Thomson said. “But really focused more on the outfield.” Kemp hopes familiarity leads to more impact. “Definitely a little bit more comfortable, especially around all these guys, having the last a couple of months up here last year,” Kemp said. “So that part is nice to just kind of lean into these guys a little bit more. I think just proving that you can play at this point, you get a lot of up and down in this game, and I think there’s a lot of people that don’t stick. Hopefully I’m trying to prove to be one of those guys that can get established up here.” • • • On the run-it-back front, Bryce Harper has run into the offseason taking as a slight Dave Dombrowski’s admission at an end-of-season presser that Harper may not be an elite player anymore. Harper has taken to wearing “Not Elite” gear in offseason workouts, which Thomson said started earlier than usual, with Harper taking part in the World Baseball Classic with Team USA. Dombrowski said he’s cleared the air with the Phillies’ star first baseman. “I have spoken to Bryce, had a great conversation with him,” Dombrowski said. “And that goes back a while ago, that goes back into November. And I do think he will have the ability to be one of the faces of a franchise and look forward to him having a tremendous year for us.” Harper batted .261 with 27 homers and 75 RBIs last year, his lowest average since his first year as a Phillie. “I think he’s motivated,” Thompson said. “I really do. I think he started hitting earlier than he’s ever hit before, and that’s to get ready for the WBC. So I think he’s motivated to play for his country, and I think he’s motivated to win a world championship.” • • • On the subject of the WBC, reports have surfaced that the Phillies and Cristopher Sanchez are at odds over whether the staff ace should pitch for the Dominican Republic in March. Sanchez affirmed his desire to take part but deferred on questions about the how of it. “I’m not ready to answer anything on that yet,” he said via a translator. “I still have to talk to the Phillies about it, and until I get a legitimate answer, I don’t want to comment on it.” Thomson offered a blanket approval for players in the WBC, admitting that it’s trickier with pitchers, starters, especially. “I think it’s a great honor to pitch for your country. I really do,” Thomson said. “I’ve done it a couple of times … for Team Canada. To play for your country is quite an honor. You’re holding your breath when your guys go but, but at the end of it, if they kind of come out of it clean, I think it’s really good.” • • • The other Phillies whose offseason mental state has been the subject of questions is Orion Kerkering. The reliever’s throwing error in the bottom of the 12th inning ended Game 4 of the National League Division Series in Los Angeles. Teammates then backed the young righty to bounce back. The messaging remained consistent Tuesday. “I’ve messaged him back and forth a few times,” Tanner Banks said. “He’s a great dude. Our lockers are right by each other. We sit next to each other in the bullpen, so we know each other pretty well. He’s consistent. “I compare Kirk to, for me, like a dog. He’s got that mentality of like, let me get back out there, let me go at it again. He’s extremely loyal to his teammates and to the city and everyone around him, and I know he’s been working hard. He’s a great dude. He’s got a good head on the shoulders, and I’m really excited for him in this coming season, but he seems to be doing great.” “He’s doing great,” Thomson said. “He’s up on the mound. He’s throwing the ball well. Body’s in good shape, so I’m looking forward to seeing him. “ • • • Zack Wheeler is throwing from 90 feet on flat ground. Thomson said there’s no estimate for when Wheeler, who underwent thoracic decompression surgery on Sept. 23 for venous thoracic outlet syndrome, might throw off a mound. The timetable for a full return is six to eight months after surgery. Thomson couched his projection of the starting rotation as “your five guys and Wheeler,” acknowledging the expected delayed start to the veteran’s season. ...read more read less