Strahm will serve as the Phillies' opening pitcher for Sunday's game against the Mets, Corey Seidman of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.
Strahm will likely be asked to work the first inning or two before making way for Nick Nelson, who is expected to serve as a bulk reliever. After gathering three holds and a save over a stretch of seven appearances in which he didn't allow an earned run, Strahm surrendered two runs on three hits over one inning in his most recent relief outing Thursday against the Pirates.
Phillies' Matt Strahm: Turns in another forgettable outing
Rotowire
Strahm didn't factor into the decision in Monday's 9-8 loss to the Diamondbacks after striking out one and allowing three runs on four hits and one walk over 2.2 innings.
Strahm has had a rough last couple of appearances, as he's given up six runs over his last 3.2 innings. The Phillies have used the southpaw as both a starter and reliever this year, yielding mixed results. On a positive note, his 1.09 WHIP is his lowest mark since 2020.
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Phillies' Matt Strahm: Starting bullpen game
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Strahm will start Monday's game against the Diamondbacks, Corey Seidman of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.
The Phillies appear to be in line to rely on several bullpen arms during Monday's series opener in Arizona, so Strahm should operate as an opener while beginning the game on the mound. The southpaw hasn't been particularly sharp in recent outings, posting a 6.75 ERA and 1.29 WHIP in 9.1 innings over his last six appearances.
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Phillies' Matt Strahm: Two scoreless innings as opener
Rotowire
Strahm did not factor into the decision during Saturday's win over the Phillies, tossing two scoreless innings in which he didn't allow a hit or walk and struck out one.
Strahm operated as the opener behind Dylan Covey, and the former outperformed the latter. In his first season with Philadelphia, Strahm has made 16 appearances (eight starts) and sports a 3.05 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 53:11 K:BB across 41.1 innings. The left-hander has been elite since moving to the bullpen full time, allowing just four runs over his last nine games (14.2 innings) while boasting a 16:3 K:BB. He may continue handling the opener role, but Strahm shouldn't be considered a starter anymore, as he hasn't completed more than two innings since May 2.
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Phillies' Matt Strahm: Working as opener Saturday
Rotowire
Strahm will work as an opener for Saturday's game against the Nationals, Corey Seidman of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.
Seidman notes that Strahm could work two innings before giving way to the bullpen. Dylan Covey was originally penciled in as Saturday's start against Washington, and it seems possible that he could work as a bulk reliever after Strahm exits.
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Phillies' Matt Strahm: Will work as opener Tuesday
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Strahm will work as an opener in Tuesday's game against the Diamondbacks, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.
Strahm has been used in a variety of roles of late, and he will work in another one Tuesday, as he has not opened a game on the mound since being removed from the rotation earlier this month. Dylan Covey is expected to enter the game right after Strahm, who has not thrown more than 40 pitches in an outing since being sent to the bullpen.
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Phillies' Matt Strahm: Notches fourth win
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Strahm (4-3) earned the win Sunday against the Cubs. He allowed a walk while striking out two in a scoreless inning.
It's Strahm's second win since he was moved to the bullpen. The 31-year-old southpaw lowered his ERA to 2.73 with an impressive 0.97 WHIP and 47:10 K:BB through 33 innings. Strahm has earned a high-leverage role with the Phillies, though he's still behind Craig Kimbrel and Gregory Soto in the save hierarchy while Jose Alvarado (elbow) is sidelined.
Strahm picked up the save in Sunday's 6-1 win over Boston. He allowed one hit while striking out three over two scoreless innings.
Strahm was moved to the bullpen, with Ranger Suarez (elbow) returning to the Phillies' rotation this week. The left-handed Strahm immediately picked up his first save, pitching two scoreless innings to close out a 6-1 victory over the Red Sox after Jose Alvarado pitched in the seventh. While Strahm could earn a back-end bullpen role, he's not likely to see regular save chances behind Alvarado and Craig Kimbrel. Strahm is 2-3 with a 3.14 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and 40:8 K:BB through 28.2 innings this season.
Phillies manager Rob Thomson confirmed Wednesday that Strahm will move into the bullpen when Ranger Suarez (elbow) is likely activated from the 15-day injured list next week, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.
Even though Strahm (3.38 ERA, 0.98 WHIP, 37:8 K:BB in 26.2 innings) has handily outperformed rotation mates Bailey Falter and Taijuan Walker this season, the Phillies aren't keen on having the southpaw serve as a full-time starter after he hadn't pitched more than 50 innings in any of the last three years while working almost exclusively as a reliever. Strahm could still be an option for spot starts down the road, but swapping him out of the rotation for Suarez will at least allow the Phillies to better manage the former's workload. With Jose Alvarado excelling as the Phillies' preferred option at closer for the time being, Strahm doesn't look as though he'll be in the mix for saves upon moving to the bullpen, so his fantasy value looks primed to take a major hit now that he's no longer starting. After having made his most recent start Tuesday, Strahm should be available out of the bullpen as soon as Sunday's game against the Red Sox.
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Phillies' Matt Strahm: Takes third loss
Rotowire
Strahm (2-3) allowed four runs on six hits and a walk while striking out five over 3.1 innings, taking the loss Tuesday versus the Dodgers.
Strahm was tagged for three runs over the first two innings and left with two on and one out in the fourth frame. Connor Brogdon allowed an inherited runner to score, and the Phillies' offense struggled to get anything going against Julio Urias. Strahm has lost three of his last four outings and now owns a 3.38 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 37:8 K:BB through 26.2 innings over seven appearances (six starts). With Ranger Suarez needing at least one more rehab game, Strahm is likely to remain in the rotation for a home start versus the Blue Jays next week.
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Phillies' Matt Strahm: Stymies Seattle
Rotowire
Strahm (2-2) earned the win Thursday, allowing no runs on two hits over 5.1 innings against the Mariners. He struck out five.
The Mariners couldn't get anything going against Strahm, mustering just two hits, as the Phillies picked up a 1-0 win. It's already the third scoreless outing for Strahm this season as he lowers his ERA to 2.31 with a 0.81 WHIP and 32:7 K:BB in 23.1 innings this season. The 31-year-old left-hander has done an impressive job stabilizing the back of Philadelphia's rotation early this year. Strahm tentatively lines up to face the Dodgers on the road in his next start.
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Phillies' Matt Strahm: Fans 11 in loss
Rotowire
Strahm (1-2) took the loss against Colorado on Thursday, allowing three runs on three hits and two walks while striking out 11 batters over 5.1 innings.
C.J. Cron tagged Strahm for a two-run homer in the first inning, but the left-handed hurler was otherwise quite impressive. He struck out a career-high 11 batters and induced 14 swinging strikes in his longest outing of the campaign. Strahm is just 1-2 on the season, but he has compiled a solid 3.00 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and 27:7 K:BB over 18 innings.
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Phillies' Matt Strahm: In clear for Thursday's start
Rotowire
Strahm (thumb) is listed as the Phillies' probable starter for Thursday's game against the Rockies.
Strahm sliced his left thumb on the seam of the ball while throwing a warmup pitch prior to the third inning of his last start Saturday in Cincinnati, but after receiving some treatment from a trainer, he was able to stay in the game. However, Strahm labored through the third inning, needing 26 pitches to record two outs before manager Rob Thomson pulled him from the contest. The southpaw appears to be feeling better following his normal four days' rest, so Strahm isn't expected to be facing any restrictions when he returns to the mound Thursday for his fourth start of the season.
