Projecting the IronPigs 2026 Bullpen

It’s well known that the road between Lehigh Valley and Philadelphia is most often trod by the relievers. The carousel up and down the turnpike is ridden consistently by the members of the ‘Pigs pen, year in and year out, and 2026 will be no exception.

2025 actually saw a brief respite in the shuttle as the Phillies didn’t have as many fungible spots in their bullpen. That meant fewer opportunities to swap guys in and out. Still, it gave guys like Max Lazar, Seth Johnson, Nolan Hoffman, and more chances to get big league looks. For 2026, the Phillies have made it a priority to acquire bullpen depth (both on the 40-man roster and not) with minor league options who they can move freely between Philadelphia and Allentown.

To begin the year at least, it looks like there are two spots open in the Phillies bullpen. Rob Thomson has mentioned that having a third lefty would be nice, which seems to give an inside track to Kyle Backhus. Zach McCambley, a Rule 5 pick, must be kept on the Major League roster or exposed to waivers and offered back to the Marlins. At face value, that would seem to somewhat settle the debate for the final two bullpen spots. However, there is enough intrigue from the other names (specifically Max Lazar, Seth Johnson, Lou Trivino, Tim Mayza) that this is far from settled.

With all this in mind, let’s take a look under the hood at who might make up the IronPigs bullpen on Opening Day.

The 40-Man Guys

Kyle Backhus – As detailed above, it seems like Backhus is an early front runner to open with the Phillies. Doesn’t exclude him from ending up in Allentown at some point, as with any reliever with minor league options. Backhus was acquired this off-season from Arizona after making his Major League debut. Throwing from a funky low arm slot but still with good low to mid 90s velo, Backhus is a virtuoso against lefties…righties not so much at the moment.

Yoniel Curet – We touched on Curet in the starters preview as well, but said we’d include him too. Whatever role, Curet figures to feature for the ‘Pigs. Another trade acquisition from the Rays this winter, he’s got a live arm, strikeout stuff, and a need to cut down the walks.

Nolan Hoffman – Hoffman made his Major League debut with the Phillies last year, appearing in one game after he was picked up from the Rangers in a trade. He turned into a back-end stopper for the ‘Pigs very quickly, picking up five saves and striking out 35 in 30 innings. He’s a sidearmer who still sits comfortably in the mid-90s.

Seth Johnson – Seth fully converted into a reliever after a few starts last year and goes into his final minor league option year looking to grow into the role even more. His early spring results have seen him sitting 99 with the heater, a great sign. The raw material is there, refining it could turn him into a gem. One of the likelier of this bunch to be riding the shuttle back and forth to Philly.

Max Lazar – Lazar got his longest run in the big leagues last year, filling in for the Phillies during José Alvarado’s suspension. 17 of the 23 runs he allowed with the Phillies came in just six of 36 outings. Still optionable, Lazar has the best ability to give length out of the ‘pen of this group, which makes him a very valuable commodity.

Alex McFarlane – Expected to make his ‘Pigs debut this year, McFarlane was added to the 40-Man roster this off-season after being drafted out of the University of Miami in 2022. After Tommy John knocked him out of 2024, he was starting to begin 2025, but moved to the bullpen by the end of the year. He’ll reside in the high 90s with dynamic stuff. In the same mold as Seth Johnson, if he can hone in with the role change has a chance to be dynamic. Would be the likeliest of this bunch not to begin 2026 with the ‘Pigs as he’s only thrown 5.2 innings above high-A. But now being on the 40-man, Phillies could be tempted to push him.

Chase Shugart – Another off-season acquisition, this time from Pittsburgh, Shugart has been a frequent visitor to Coca-Cola Park over the years from his time in the Red Sox system with Worcester. He got into 35 games last year with the Pirates, posting a 3.40 ERA, striking out 31 in 45 innings. If you are noticing a trend, Shugart has MiLB options left.

As mentioned above, highly likely two (and at least one) out of this group begin the year with the Phillies. Which one that is, is a matter of personal preference. But I’d darn near guarantee they all at least appear in a game for the ‘Pigs at some point this year.

40-Man Guys…But It’s Complicated

Zach McCambley – Touched on it in the intro, but McCambley is a Rule 5 pick from Miami. The odds of him ending up in Allentown are basically nil. He either stays on the Phillies roster, gets put on waivers where another team can nab him, or he clears waivers and is then offered back to the Marlins for a small fee (which they would presumably pay). It’s not impossible the Marlins decline to take him back but it rarely ever happens. One of the few times it did was actually how the Phillies ended up with Shane Victorino!

Zach Pop – Pop was signed to a Major League deal this off-season by the Phillies but seems unlikely to break camp with them. He’s out of MiLB options, so he’d have to clear waivers, and even then he has the right to refuse the assignment and become a free agent. This is pure conjecture, but I would guess his contract calls for a higher than normal MiLB salary to entice him to accept the assignment, meaning he could end up with the ‘Pigs. In these instances, I don’t like to assume anything which is I’ve but Pop in this category. He’d be an interesting arm, posted a 2.77 ERA in 2022 with Toronto and Miami and has seen action in the big leagues every year since 2021.

Veterans with Opt-Outs

Tim Mayza/Lou Trivino – Lumping the two local guys together for brevity as they both feature the same situation. Mayza, born in Allentown and went to Millersville and Trivino, born in Green Lane and went to Slipper Rock, were members of the Phillies bullpen by the end of the 2025 season. They’ve both returned on MiLB contracts and with both being from the greater Lehigh Valley, it would seem like they’d be shoe ins for the ‘Pigs bullpen…Not so fast! Deep in the annals of the MLB Rulebook lies this nugget:

“Retention Bonus (Article XX(B) Free Agents):

If a club signs an Article XX(B) free agent to a Minor League contract between a period after the conclusion of the World Series and 10 days before the start of the next season, it must decide by noon ET five days before Opening Day whether it will add the player to its 26-man roster or MLB injured list at the outset of the season.

If the club does not agree in writing to add the player to its Opening Day 26-man roster or MLB injured list, it must either grant the player his immediate unconditional release or agree to pay the player a retention bonus of $100,000 (to be paid on or before April 15 of the upcoming season).

Players paid the retention bonus can request to be granted their unconditional release on June 1 if they are not added to the 26-man roster or MLB injured list by then. This request must be submitted in writing no later than 2 p.m. ET on May 28.

To qualify for this rule, a player must have at least six years of MLB service time and have finished the previous season on a club's 40-man roster or 60-day injured list.”

What all this means is both Mayza and Trivino can opt-out of their deals if they are not added to Phillies roster. Like we mentioned with Pop, there could be incentive (either financially or in the case of these two geographically) to stay put. Only time will tell.

Both would be big boosts to the ‘Pigs pen. Trivino didn’t allow a run in his time with the ‘Pigs last year (on top of good work at the Major League level) while Mayza had a 3.78 ERA at the big league level last year.

Non-Roster Invites

Andrew Bechtold – Like Mayza and Trivino, Bechtold is somewhat local, growing up a Phillies fan when he was in high school at Garnet Valley. He appeared in a few games down the stretch last year for the ‘Pigs and re-signed with the Phillies this off-season. A converted position player, he’s got high 90s stuff and is still learning to pitch a bit. Given he doesn’t have many innings on the odometer, a return to Reading could be in the cards if the ‘Pigs bullpen is overcrowded.

Génesis Cabrera – Cabrera is best remembered by Phillies fans as the Cardinals pitcher who beaned Bryce Harper a few years back. Last year Cabrera pitched in the Majors for four different teams. In his career, he’s got 312 appearances in the Majors with a 4.24 ERA. A hard throwing lefty, he’d be a good back end option for the ‘Pigs.

Jonathan Hernández – Once upon a time a Futures Game participant in 2017 when he was a prospect in the Rangers system, Hernandez is another hard thrower. He was with Durham last in his first season outside the Rangers system. He’s got 127 games of Major League experience with a 4.82 ERA and 150 strikeouts in 153 innings.

Michael Mercado – Mercado was non-tendered by the Phillies this off-season but re-signed shortly after. Came into spring this season with a shoulder issue which has held him out of action. Will be back for a third season with the IronPigs. Took a step back last year after he was the ‘Pigs Pitcher of the Year in 2024. He’s still got the loud stuff (high 90s fastball, cutter, slider, curve, and change-up) but health and command will be key.

Trevor Richards – Richards has been a consistent swingman and bullpen arm since emerging from the independent Frontier League and reaching the Majors in 2018. He got into five games between the Royals and Diamondbacks last year. He’s control over power with a low 90s fastball and devastating change-up.

Daniel Robert – Like Mercado, Robert was non-tendered and then re-signed this off-season. Acquired in a trade from Texas last year, Robert pitched well with the ‘Pigs picking up four saves. He’s a hard thrower with a devastating sweeper/slider. He also joins Mercado as behind in camp, dealing with some arm woes.

Andrew Walling – One of just two lefties in the non-roster group, he’s the only one that is completely homegrown, signing as an UDFA out of Mississippi State in 2022. He reached triple-A for the first time last year and has been a consistent presence the past few years, making at least 40 appearances each season. Wins don’t mean much as a pitcher stat, but he did have eight in both 2023 & 2024.

If you haven’t been counting, that’s a total of 18 arms. Subtract a few who may be with the Phillies or might end up outside of the organization and you are still left with a fully stocked bullpen. With Mercado and Robert currently hurt and behind schedule this spring, that does open up a little wiggle room for the next guys on our list.

I Remember You!

This group of players have all appeared in games for the IronPigs before but find themselves outside of Major League camp. That would seem to leave them on the outside looking in to the ‘Pigs bullpen to at least start the year.

Ryan Cusick

Tristan Garnett

Daniel Harper

John McMillon

All have shown flashes in spurts. Garnett, Harper, and McMillon all spent most of 2025 with Reading. Cusick was a waiver claim who finished the year out with the ‘Pigs in the bullpen. Cusick, Harper, McMillon are all working with mid 90s velocity while Garnett is a towering lefty with a devastating change-up.

MiLB Free Agents not in Phillies Camp

Evan Gates

Colin Peluse

Levi Stoudt

Lenny Torres Jr.

Some depth the Phillies added this off-season. The name to watch out of this group is Stoudt. A product of Lehigh University, he’s got big league time and was part of the deal that sent Luis Castillo from the Reds to Mariners, has got a big arm.

Names To Keep An Eye on Later in the Year

Brandon Beckel

Gabe Craig

Jack Dallas

Wen-Hui Pan

Luke Russo

Saul Teran

With the number of veteran relievers the Phillies already have stockpiled at the upper-levels, there doesn’t need to be much back filling from guys moving through the system. But as we’ve seen with someone like Orion Kerkering, if an arm shows juice, the Phillies will let them loose. Out of this group, Gabe Craig (an older draft pick out of Baylor last year) has that potential. He struck out 51 and walked just three last year for Baylor, saving 10 games. Wen-Hui Pan came back from Tommy John last year and prior to the injury had some real buzz in the system. Another big arm, if he stays in a reliever role and the velocity fully returns, could move quick. Saul Teran doesn’t have jump off the page stuff, but he has just posted numbers. In 48.1 innings last year he struck out 56 and walked only 16 with 15 saves.

The Verdict

This is probably the toughest position group to project for Opening Day. On first glance, there are more than enough names with the stuff and pedigree to begin in the ‘Pigs bullpen. But there just aren’t enough spots. We’ll assume for this exercise an 11 man active bullpen. Typically the ‘Pigs will have an arm or two on the IL and one on the development list. Trying to make it easier on myself, I’ll assume for the moment that Michael Mercado and Daniel Robert will be on the IL to start the year since they have yet to appear in spring action which puts them behind the eight-ball. When healthy, they will be here. My own personal gut tells me that Backhus and Lazar end up nabbing the last two spots in the Phillies bullpen to at least begin the year, but you could easily argue McCambley or any other 40-man guy. Mix-and-match at your own pleasure for who that leaves here in the ‘Pigs bullpen. Guys with contract/roster status questions (Mayza, Trivino, McCambley, Pop) we will leave out just for the sake of we don’t know what the future holds. If in the organization, I’d imagine them here. That leaves the ‘Pigs bullpen to start the year looking like this:

Yoniel Curet

Nolan Hoffman

Seth Johnson

Alex McFarlane

Chase Shugart

Andrew Bechtold

Génesis Cabrera

Jonathan Hernández

Trevor Richards

Andrew Walling

Ryan Cusick

So that’s my best guess. With the amount of depth here, there are a million different iterations you could build and with how early we are in spring, there are a lot of things left to happen that will dictate how this ends up looking. From injury questions to some of the roster cuts and contract questions that will be answered in coming weeks, this will provide some clarity as things go on. But it seems a pretty safe bet that this is a talented and deep group. The Phillies have focused on getting optionable depth to supplement their bullpen and the IronPigs are all the better for it.