Spring Training Game 13 - Luzardo Looks Locked In

Boston Red Sox	2
Philadelphia Phillies	6

2025 Topps #105

Spring Training Game 13

Thursday Afternoon, March 5th

BayCare Ballpark - Clearwater, FL

Record - 4-8-1

One Sentence Summary:  Jesus Luzardo looked ready to go, pitching three shutout innings and striking out five as the Phils downed the Red Sox, 6-2.

What It Means:  The Phillies pitching rotation looks pretty good, as long as Luzardo and Aaron Nola figure out whatever went wrong in their rough starts last season.  Christopher Sanchez is the undisputed ace, at least until Zack Wheeler returns from injury, and Andrew Painter seems ready to go too.  Taijuan Walker will hold things down until Wheeler's return.

What Happened:  Luzardo allowed two hits and didn't walk anyway, needing 38 pitches to get through three innings.  The Phillies scored three times in the second inning, with a Justin Crawford ground-out bringing home Adolis Garcia, and Dylan Moore following with a two-run single.  Otto Kemp added his second double of the game in the fourth, scoring another.  Two more late runs scored on a Bryson Stott sacrifice fly and Christian Cairo solo home run.

Featured Card:  Moore is an interesting option, and he could fill the role previously occupied by the departed Weston Wilson.  It could be Moore and Bryan De La Cruz battling it out for the final bench spot.

Camp Head Count:  69

Spring Training Game 12 - Oh Canada!

Canada	5
Philadelphia Phillies	3

2015 Topps Update #US318

Spring Training Game 12

Wednesday Afternoon, March 4th

BayCare Ballpark - Clearwater, FL

Record - 3-8-1

One Sentence Summary:  Aaron Nola threw three scoreless innings with four strikeouts, but Team Canada took care of the Phillies by a score of 5-3.

What It Means:  I took the photo below of a graphic displayed on a recent Phillies broadcast of all the team's players competing the next few weeks in the World Baseball Classic.  I wish I could get more excited about this exhibition tournament, and I like the concept of it, but I'm still not a huge fan.  Rojas has since been sent home from the Dominican Republic team, but he did make an impressive diving catch as the first out in this game.

What Happened:  There's a theory that Nola only pitches well in even-numbered years, so hopefully that pattern holds true come April.  Jhoan Duran made his spring debut and pitched a scoreless fourth inning.  Canada scored four of its runs off Jonathan Bowlan in the sixth as the reliever didn't retire a batter but gave up three hits and a walk.  Bryan De La Cruz, now suddenly with a potential roster spot if Rojas is suspended, had an RBI single in the second.  Alec Bohm hit a solo home run in the fourth.

Featured Card:  Phillippe Aumont, who pitched for the Phillies in 46 games between 2012 and 2015, relieved for Canada in the sixth inning, shutting down Adolis Garcia, Bryson Stott and De La Cruz.  Aumont is now 37 and last pitched professionally in 2019.  He threw three innings of relief for Canada in the 2023 World Baseball Classic.

Camp Head Count:  69

Spring Training Game 11 - Phils Can't Find Runs in Florida

Philadelphia Phillies	1
Tampa Bay Rays	3

2025 Topps Heritage #632

Spring Training Game 11

Tuesday Afternoon, March 3rd

Charlotte Sports Park - Port Charlotte, FL

Record - 3-7-1

One Sentence Summary:  A pair of errors downed the Phillies in this 3-1 loss to the Rays.

What It Means:  I know these spring training records and statistics don't mean anything, but it would be nice to be winning more games than the Phillies are losing.

What Happened:  The Rays scored an unearned run in the first following an error by right fielder Brandon Marsh.  They would score an earned run in the second when Taylor Walls singled off Phillies' reliever Jack Dallas to score Ryan Vilade.  A third run, again unearned, followed in the third inning on a wild pitch by Lou Trivino and throwing error by catcher Rafael Marchan.  The offense plated one lone run in the fifth when Aroon Escobar reached on a ground rule double and scored on an RBI-single from Jose Rodriguez.

Featured Card:  Johan Rojas didn't play in this game, but there were reports the back-up outfielder is about to be suspended for 80 games for PED use.  Rojas was sent home by the Dominican Republic team competing in the World Baseball Classic.

Camp Head Count:  69

Spring Training Game 10 - Painter Shines, but Phils Fall to Yanks

New York Yankees	5
Philadelphia Phillies	3

2025 Bowman Prospects #BP-116

Spring Training Game 10

Sunday Afternoon, March 1st

BayCare Ballpark - Clearwater, FL

Record - 3-6-1

One Sentence Summary:  The Yankees scored four seventh inning runs off Zach Pop and Danyony Pulido, ruining the good vibes from earlier in the game following Andrew Painter's spring debut.

What It Means:  Top pitching prospect Painter has been cleared for take-off.  With Zack Wheeler likely starting the season on the injured list, Painter is all but guaranteed a spot in the starting pitching rotation, and he helped his cause in this game with two smooth, scoreless innings.

What Happened:  Painter was perfect and set down all six batters he faced.  The Phillies tied the game at 1-1 following Bryson Stott's solo home run in the bottom of the fifth.  Stott is now batting .625 (5 for 8) for the spring with a double and two home runs.  The Yankees took a 5-1 lead in the long top of the seventh, with Pop getting charged with all four runs on three hits and a walk.  In the ninth, Pedro Leon walked and scored on Dylan Campbell's triple.  Campbell scored the final run of the game when Felix Reyes singled him home.

Featured Card:  He hasn't pitched in a big league game yet, but I've already accumulated 21 different Painter cards in my Phillies collection.  His Bowman Prospects card from last year shows off the mustache he has since sadly shaved.

Camp Head Count:  69

Spring Training Game 9 - Phils Can't Stop Jays in Dunedin

Philadelphia Phillies	5
Toronto Blue Jays	7

2022 Topps #22

Spring Training Game 9

Saturday Afternoon, February 28th

TD Ballpark - Dunedin, FL

Record - 3-5-1

One Sentence Summary:  Cristopher Sanchez looked ready to start the season, but the Phillies couldn't overcome a late rally from the Blue Jays in this 7-5 loss.

What It Means:  Sure I had to work most of the morning and early afternoon, but it was great to have all four of us under one roof as this game was televised.  Our oldest son is home from college for spring break and our youngest was toiling away in his room on a school project.  While our country and the rest of the world continues to make zero sense, at least everything was in its right place on the home front for an afternoon.

What Happened:  Sanchez pitched two scoreless innings, allowing a pair of hits and striking out four.  Brad Keller and Tim Mayza allowed the Blue Jays to do the most damage, with Keller allowing two runs in the third and Mayza giving up four runs (two earned) in the sixth.  Justin Crawford continued to impress with two more hits, including a double.  Before departing for the World Baseball Classic, Bryce Harper hit a solo home run in the fifth.

Featured Card:  Bryan De La Cruz has an outside chance to make the club as a bench player, and he went 2 for 2 in this game with a second inning solo home run off Blue Jays' starter Dylan Cease.  This is his rookie card from the 2022 Topps set.

Camp Head Count:  69

Spring Training Games 7 and 8 - Phils Split Squad, Split Games

Miami Marlins	2
Philadelphia Phillies	10

Spring Training Game 7

Friday Afternoon, February 27th

BayCare Ballpark - Clearwater, FL

Philadelphia Phillies	8
Detroit Tigers	16

2025 Topps Allen & Ginter #231

Spring Training Game 8

Friday Afternoon, February 27th

Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium - Lakeland, FL

Record - 3-4-1

One Sentence Summary:  On the only scheduled split-squad day of the spring, the Phillies won in Clearwater but lost in Lakeland.

What It Means:  Split squad games are always good opportunities for everyone on the roster to get a little playing time, and by the look of the box scores there were even some minor league call-ups seeing some action.

What Happened:  The Phils were clobbered by the Tigers in Lakeland.  No one fared worse than Yoniel Curet, who allowed five runs on two hits, two walks and a hit batter, and was removed without having recorded an out.  Minor leaguer Andrew Baker allowed five more runs to score in an 11-run sixth inning.  Christian Cairo had a pair of hits and Rene Pinto homered for the Phillies.

In Clearwater, the Phillies rode a four-run first inning to a 10-2 win.  Adolis Garcia, Bryson Stott and Edmundo Sosa all brought home runs in the first frame, supporting a decent outing from Aaron Nola.  Nola went two innings, allowing a run on two hits while striking out two.  Minor leaguer Robert Moore went 2 for 2 with four RBIs, and Bryan Rincon hit a solo home run in the eighth.

Featured Card:  Last season, I mostly posted Nola cards following one of his awful outings as a show of support for the long-time Phillies pitcher.  I'm hoping to have more Nola cards featured after good outings in 2026.

Camp Head Count:  69

Spring Training Game 6 - Stott, Hettiger Homer in Win Over Nats

Washington Nationals	3
Philadelphia Phillies	7

2023 Topps Archives #189

Spring Training Game 6

Thursday Afternoon, February 26th

BayCare Ballpark - Clearwater, FL

Record - 2-3-1

One Sentence Summary:  A four-run third inning was the difference in this game, a 7-3 win over the Nationals.

What It Means:  Similar to prior years, I have every intention of watching or listening to as many spring training games possible, but then work obligations seem to get in the way.  This game started and ended without me following a single pitch, although I was happy to get the notification of a Phillies win once the game was over.

What Happened:  Bryson Stott homered in the first to the tie the game at 1-1, after Phillies' starter Taijuan Walker allowed a first inning run to the Nationals.  Walker went two innings, allowing a run on three hits.  In the big third inning, Dante Nori doubled and Kehden Hettiger hit a two-run home run.  With one out, Stott walked and scored on a Bryce Harper RBI-double.  Garrett Stubbs would later single Harper home.  Jose Alvarado picked up the win, throwing a scoreless third inning and striking out a pair.

Featured Card:  I added surprisingly few Stott cards to my collection in 2025, and this was one of them.  I was a few years late picking up his 2023 Topps Archives card, with a weirdly cropped photo but a faithful representation of the 1965 Topps set.

Camp Head Count:  69

Spring Training Game 5 - Phils Notch First Win of Spring

Detroit Tigers	3
Philadelphia Phillies	5

2026 Topps #21

Spring Training Game 5

Wednesday Afternoon, February 25th

BayCare Ballpark - Clearwater, FL

Record - 1-3-1

One Sentence Summary:  Otto Kemp homered and Alec Bohm had a pair of RBI singles in this 5-3 win over the Tigers, the Phillies' first win of the spring.

What It Means:  I know we're only a week in with spring training games, but I'm kind of ready for the season to start?  Maybe it's the fact we've had snow on the ground for over a month.

What Happened:  Brad Keller, Zach Pop and Kyle Backhus gave the Phillies three scoreless innings to start the game, allowing just a pair of hits.  Backhus was the recipient of the win.  Pedro Leon and Bohm got the scoring started with RBI singles in the third, and Kemp hit a solo home run in the fourth.  Two more runs scored in the fifth when Bryce Harper doubled home J.T. Realmuto and Bohm's second RBI single of the day scored Harper.

Featured Card:  I need to compose my "First Phillie from the 2026 Topps Set" post, as my wife delivered a blaster box of Series One to me last week from one of her Target runs.  This Backhus card was in the blaster, along with the First Phillie, and it's Backhus' first mainstream baseball card appearance.

Camp Head Count:  69

Spring Training Game 4 - Phils Remain Winless

Philadelphia Phillies	1
Miami Marlins	6

2025 Choice Reading
Fightin Phils #30

Spring Training Game 4

Tuesday Afternoon, February 24th

Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium - Jupiter, FL

Record - 0-3-1

One Sentence Summary:  The Phillies offense remained dormant in this 6-1 loss to the Marlins in Jupiter.

What It Means:  Absolutely nothing, to be honest.

What Happened:  Seth Johnson started and pitched a scoreless inning in this latest bullpen game.  Nolan Hoffman, Alex McFarlane and Andrew Walling each struck out a pair in their innings, but Walling was tagged with a fifth inning grand slam from Joe Mack, which was all the run support the Marlins' pitchers would need.  Walling had allowed a double and hit two batters to load the bases.  

The Phillies offense pushed across a first inning run when Trea Turner was hit by a pitch to start the game, went to second on a Bryson Stott single, tagged up and went to third on a Bryan De La Cruz fly-out and scored on an errant pick-off throw from Marlins' catcher Mack.  The Phillies would add only three more singles the rest of the game.

Featured Card:  Walling was signed by the Phillies as a non-drafted free agent back in 2022.  He appeared in all three (!) of the Reading Fightin Phils team sets last season.

Camp Head Count:  69

Spring Training Game 3 - Phils Tie Nats; Blizzard of '26 Covers Area

Philadelphia Phillies	5
Washington Nationals	5

2025 Choice Jersey Shore
BlueClaws #6

Spring Training Game 3

Monday Night, February 23rd

CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches - West Palm Beach, FL

Record - 0-2-1

One Sentence Summary:  The Phillies played to their first tie of the spring, thanks in part to a sixth inning, bases clearing double from Bryan Rincon.

What It Means:  I was too tired and too sore from shoveling snow for almost three hours to even register this game was happening.  We listened to maybe the first inning on the radio before fatigue won over.

What Happened:  It was another Phillies' bullpen game, by design, with 10 different pitchers taking the mound over the course of the game.  Of importance to the 2026 bullpen, Chase Shugart and Lou Trivino both had clean innings of work.  With the game tied 1-1, Bryan Rincon cleared the bases with a double in the top of the sixth, giving the Phillies a 5-1 lead.  The Nationals would go on to score four unanswered runs against minor league call-ups Colin Peluse and Danyony Pulido.

Featured Card:  Rincon, drafted by the Phillies in the 14th round of the 2022 draft, has appeared in three minor league team sets.  This is his only card from last year, found in the BlueClaws team set.

Camp Head Count:  69

Spring Training Game 2 - Spring Brings First Schwarbomb

Pittsburgh Pirates	4
Philadelphia Phillies	3

2025 Topps Archives #167

Spring Training Game 2

Sunday Afternoon, February 22nd

BayCare Ballpark - Clearwater, FL

Record - 0-2

One Sentence Summary:  Kyle Schwarber homered in his first spring at-bat, but a sixth inning grand slam from the Pirates' Esmerlyn Valdez off reliever Jack Dallas sunk the Phils.

What It Means:  With the Blizzard of '26 bearing down on us, it was great to tune in to the first spring home game of the year.  The game itself was pretty boring, but the Phillies are playing baseball again, and that's good enough for me.

What Happened:  Schwarber launched his home run seemingly onto the highway behind BayCare Ballpark.  Carson DeMartini hit a solo home run in the sixth.  It was a bullpen game for the Phillies, with nine relievers slated to go an inning each.  Jonathan Hernandez couldn't get out of his inning, loading the bases for Dallas, a minor league call-up for the day.  Lefty Kyle Backhus looked strong in his audition for the final lefty reliever spot in the bullpen.

Featured Card:  Schwarber will be leaving the club shortly to join Team USA for the World Baseball Classic.  Here's his 1996 Topps inspired card from the 2025 Topps Archives set, released a week before Christmas.

Camp Head Count:  69

Spring Training Game 1 - Jays Take '26 Lid-Lifter

Philadelphia Phillies	0
Toronto Blue Jays	3

2025 Choice Jersey Shore
BlueClaws Road to the Show

Spring Training Game 1

Saturday Afternoon, February 21st

TD Ballpark - Dunedin, FL

Record - 0-1

One Sentence Summary:  The Phillies kicked off their Grapefruit League schedule with a 3-0 loss to the Blue Jays, with two of their four hits on the day coming from Justin Crawford.

What It Means:  With another foot or so of snow predicted in this weekend's forecast for the area, the Phillies gave us a glimpse of warmer weather and a preview of Crawford's potential.  We were treated to a bonus TV broadcast as NBC Philly picked up the Blue Jays' feed of the game.  I muted the announcers a few innings into the game, but it was wonderful to watch a baseball game.

What Happened:  The most excitement for the day from the Phillies' side was the lead-off double from Crawford to start the game.  He'd single in his second at-bat, with Bryan De La Cruz and Paul McIntosh collecting the other two hits for the Phillies.  Bryse Wilson got the start and pitched two shutout innings, although he did have traffic on the base paths, allowing three hits and a walk.  Seth Johnson and Nolan Hoffman gave up all three Blue Jays runs, with Hoffman allowing the most damage, but striking out the side in the sixth.

Featured Card:  This is the newest Crawford card in my collection, added this past July from a set limited to a print run of 500.

Camp Head Count:  70 - 1 = 69

Technically, camp opened with 70 players on the roster, although the Phillies had told Nick Castellanos not to report.  With his release on February 12th, the Phillies now have 69 players in uniform - 39 from their 40-man roster and another 30 non-roster invitees.  The World Baseball Classic will take some of the squad away from Clearwater this spring, so camp cuts might not come quickly.

2025 Chachi #57 Rafael Lantigua

Bats:  Right  Throws:  Right  Height:  5'8"  Weight:  177
Opening Day 2025 Age:  26

Born:  April 28, 1998, Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic
Acquired:  Signed as a free agent with the Phillies, December 28, 2024

Departed:  Granted free agency, November 6, 2025

2025 Choice Lehigh Valley
IronPigs #8

The final card I need to post from the 2025 Chachi set is also the most bittersweet.  Rafael Lantigua has played nine seasons in the minor league organizations of the Blue Jays and Phillies, and in 125 games with the IronPigs this past year he batted .230 with seven home runs and 56 RBIs.  Lantigua had his contract purchased by the Phillies on September 16th, flying to Los Angeles to meet the team for the Dodgers' series, when Edmundo Sosa landed on the injured list with a mild right groin strain.  Wearing #19, he sat on the bench through two late night games, and didn't appear in either game.  On September 19th, before the start of a series against the Diamondbacks, Lantigua was optioned back down when Alec Bohm was activated.  He'll not ever appear on any official Phillies alumni lists, but because he was on the active roster for a pair of games, he at least earned a Chachi card.  Lantigua signed a minor league deal with the Blue Jays in the offseason and will join their camp as a non-roster invitee.

Other Notable Baseball Cards
First Mainstream Card:  N/A
Topps Flagship Set Appearances (0):  N/A
Favorite 2025 Card:  2025 Choice Lehigh Valley IronPigs #8
Total Cards in My Phillies Collection:  2 as of 1/31/26, 2 added in 2025

TCDB Stats:  10 total as of 1/31/26, my 2 cards overall are ranked 2nd, 1st is wyattketch88 with 4

Complete Chachi Checklist

2025 Chachi #57

2025 Virtual Phillies Wall / 2025 Season Summary Index / 2025 Chachi Set Checklist

2025 Chachi #56 Phils Clinch N.L. East HL 

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2025 Chachi #58 Edmundo Sosa HL

2025 Chachi #55 Walker Buehler

Bats:  Right  Throws:  Right  Height:  6'2"  Weight:  185
Opening Day 2025 Age:  30

Born:  July 28, 1994, Lexington, KY
Acquired:  Signed as a free agent with the Phillies, August 31, 2025

Departed:  Granted free agency, November 2, 2025
Major League Teams:  Los Angeles Dodgers 2017-22, 2024; Boston Red Sox 2025; Philadelphia Phillies 2025

Postseason Appearances:  Los Angeles Dodgers 2018-21, 2024

2025 Topps Now #717 (Back)

A two-time All-Star and a World Series champion with the Dodgers in 2020 and 2024, Walker Buehler signed a one-year, $21 million deal with the Red Sox prior to the 2025 season.  His Red Sox tenure went horribly, and the team released him on August 29th, after Buehler had posted a 7-7 record and a 5.45 ERA in 23 appearances and 112 1/3 innings pitched.  The Phillies, in need of some starting pitching with the sudden season-ending injury to Zack Wheeler, took a chance on Buehler and signed him a few days after his release.  The gamble worked, and Buehler was 3-0 with a 0.66 ERA in three appearances and 13 2/3 innings pitched for the Phillies in September.  As of this writing, he's appeared on one Phillies baseball card, albeit on the back of the card, as he makes a cameo on the 2025 Topps Now card celebrating the Phillies clinching the National League East pennant.

Other Notable Baseball Cards
First Mainstream Card:  2015 Bowman Draft #46
Topps Flagship Set Appearances (8):  2018-25
Favorite 2025 Card:  2025 Topps Now #717
Total Cards in My Phillies Collection:  3 as of 1/31/26, 3 added in 2025

TCDB Stats:  6,583 total as of 1/31/26, my 25 cards overall are ranked 488th, 1st is gcrl with 299

Complete Chachi Checklist

2025 Chachi #55

2025 Virtual Phillies Wall / 2025 Season Summary Index / 2025 Chachi Set Checklist

2025 Chachi #54 Donovan Walton 

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2025 Chachi #56 Phils Clinch N.L. East HL

2025 Chachi #54 Donovan Walton

Bats:  Left  Throws:  Right  Height:  5'10"  Weight:  190
Opening Day 2025 Age:  30

Born:  May 25, 1994, Dallas, TX
Acquired:  Purchased from the New York Mets, July 1, 2025

Departed:  Granted free agency, October 10, 2025
Major League Teams:  Seattle Mariners 2019-22; San Francisco Giants 2022, 2024; Philadelphia Phillies 2025

If Brett de Geus is the pitcher from the 2025 Phillies that only die-hard fans will remember, Donovan Walton is the position player.  Walton came to the organization in early July, playing in 50 games for the Triple-A IronPigs, and batting .339 with a pair of home runs and 27 RBIs.  He was briefly pressed into service with the Phillies when Trea Turner and Alec Bohm both landed on the injured list on September 8th.  Walton made two starts at second base, and was 1 for 8 with a run scored and a RBI.  Edmundo Sosa was activated from the injured list on September 24th, and Walton was designated for assignment, as his services were no longer needed.  The veteran infielder signed with the Angels in the offseason.

Other Notable Baseball Cards
First Mainstream Card:  2020 Donruss #252
Topps Flagship Set Appearances (1):  2022
Favorite 2025 Card:  N/A
Total Cards in My Phillies Collection:  0 as of 1/31/26, 0 added in 2025

TCDB Stats:  408 total as of 1/31/26, 1st is nkandy11 with 45

Complete Chachi Checklist

2025 Chachi #54

2025 Virtual Phillies Wall / 2025 Season Summary Index / 2025 Chachi Set Checklist

2025 Chachi #53 Garrett Stubbs 

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2025 Chachi #55 Walker Buehler

2025 Chachi #53 Garrett Stubbs

Bats:  Left  Throws:  Right  Height:  5'10"  Weight:  170
Opening Day 2025 Age:  31

Born:  May 26, 1993, San Diego, CA
Acquired:  Traded by the Houston Astros to the Phillies for Logan Cerny, November 19, 2021

Contract Status:  Signed through 2028
Major League Teams:  Houston Astros 2019-21; Philadelphia Phillies 2022-25

Postseason Appearances:  Houston Astros 2020-21; Philadelphia Phillies 2023

2025 Choice Lehigh Valley
IronPigs (Series 2) #3

The team's Vibe Captain since 2022, Garrett Stubbs was beaten out by Rafael Marchan for the back-up catcher role in spring training, and Stubbs spent the bulk of the season embracing his role as a popular veteran leader for the Triple-A IronPigs.  In 71 games for Lehigh Valley, he batted .265 with 12 doubles, eight home runs and 50 RBIs, earning a roster spot with the Phillies as a September call-up.  His five appearances in the majors were limited to pinch-running and late inning catching duties, and while he did score a pair of runs, he was 0 for 1 in his sole plate appearance.  Stubbs is back in camp again this spring, and I suspect he'll be back with the IronPigs for the bulk of the season.

Other Notable Baseball Cards
First Mainstream Card:  2017 Bowman Chrome Prospects #BCP213
Topps Flagship Set Appearances (5):  2020-24
Favorite 2025 Card:  2025 Choice Lehigh Valley IronPigs (Series 2) #3
Total Cards in My Phillies Collection:  14 as of 1/31/26, 4 added in 2025

TCDB Stats:  400 total as of 1/31/26, my 16 cards overall are ranked 8th, 1st is herkojerko with 34

Complete Chachi Checklist

2022 Chachi New Additions #5 
2022 Chachi #11

2023 Chachi Preview #3

2023 Chachi #11

2024 Chachi #11

2025 Chachi #53

2025 Virtual Phillies Wall / 2025 Season Summary Index / 2025 Chachi Set Checklist

2025 Chachi #52 Tim Mayza 

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2025 Chachi #54 Donovan Walton

2025 Chachi #52 Tim Mayza

Bats:  Left  Throws:  Left  Height:  6'3"  Weight:  215
Opening Day 2025 Age:  33

Born:  January 15, 1992, Allentown, PA
Acquired:  Selected off waivers from the Pittsburgh Pirates, August 31, 2025

Contract Status:  Signed through 2026
Major League Teams:  Toronto Blue Jays 2017-19, 2021-24; New York Yankees 2024; Pittsburgh Pirates 2025; Philadelphia Phillies 2025

Postseason Appearances:  Toronto Blue Jays 2022-23; New York Yankees 2024

Tim Mayza was claimed off waivers on August 31st, making him eligible for the postseason.  At the time, Mayza was seen as a potential lefty bullpen replacement for Jose Alvarado come October, given Alvarado was ineligible for the postseason due to his earlier suspension for PEDs.  Mayza did in fact make the team's postseason roster, but the NLDS (and the postseason) was over quickly for the Phillies and he remained on the sidelines.  In eight regular season games with the Phillies in September, he had no record with a 4.91 ERA in eight games and 7 1/3 innings pitched.  Granted free agency following the World Series, the Phillies brought the veteran lefty back as a non-roster invitee to spring training, re-signing him on January 23rd.

Other Notable Baseball Cards
First Mainstream Card:  2019 Topps Total #466
Topps Flagship Set Appearances (1):  2024
Favorite 2025 Card:  N/A
Total Cards in My Phillies Collection:  0 as of 1/31/26, 0 added in 2025

TCDB Stats:  55 total as of 1/31/26, my 1 card overall is ranked 54th, 1st is Megandgarr with 7

Complete Chachi Checklist

2025 Chachi #52

2025 Virtual Phillies Wall / 2025 Season Summary Index / 2025 Chachi Set Checklist

2025 Chachi #51 Kyle Schwarber HL 

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2025 Chachi #53 Garrett Stubbs

2025 Chachi #50 Lou Trivino

Bats:  Right  Throws:  Right  Height:  6'5"  Weight:  232
Opening Day 2025 Age:  33

Born:  October 1, 1991, Green Lane, PA
Acquired:  Signed as a free agent with the Phillies, August 4, 2025

Departed:  Granted free agency, November 2, 2025
Major League Teams:  Oakland Athletics 2018-22; New York Yankees 2022; San Francisco Giants 2025; Los Angeles Dodgers 2025; Philadelphia Phillies 2025

Postseason Appearances:  Oakland Athletics 2018, 2020; New York Yankees 2022

Lou Trivino pitched surprisingly well for the Phillies in the final month of the season, putting together a 2.00 ERA in 10 games and nine innings pitched.  The Phillies opted not to bring him back for the 2026 season despite his late season success.  Trivino grew up in Quakertown a Phillies fan, and he came to club after pitching with the Giants (11 games) and Dodgers (26 games) earlier in 2025.

Other Notable Baseball Cards
First Mainstream Card:  2014 Topps Pro Debut #4
Topps Flagship Set Appearances (3):  2018-20
Favorite 2025 Card:  N/A
Total Cards in My Phillies Collection:  0 as of 1/30/26, 0 added in 2025

TCDB Stats:  175 total as of 1/30/26, my 3 cards overall are ranked 232nd, 1st is golfprosomeday84 with 100

Complete Chachi Checklist

2025 Chachi #50

2025 Virtual Phillies Wall / 2025 Season Summary Index / 2025 Chachi Set Checklist

2025 Chachi #49 Nolan Hoffman 

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2025 Chachi #51 Kyle Schwarber HL

2025 Chachi #49 Nolan Hoffman

Bats:  Right  Throws:  Right  Height:  6'4"  Weight:  190
Opening Day 2025 Age:  27

Born:  August 9, 1997, Lincoln, NE
Acquired:  Purchased from the Texas Rangers, June 18, 2025

Contract Status:  Signed through 2032
Major League Teams:  Philadelphia Phillies 2025

The Phillies acquired Nolan Hoffman from the Rangers in mid-June for cash considerations, and he'd make his big league debut with the club on August 18th.  Hoffman, very briefly, took the place of Max Lazar in the bullpen.  His debut didn't go well, as he allowed three runs in a lengthy ninth inning appearance of an eventual 12-7 win over the Mariners.  The following day, he was optioned back to the IronPigs to make room for Jose Alvarado, who was activated from the restricted list.  Hoffman is still on the Phillies' 40-man roster and will be in the mix for the pitching staff in 2026.

Other Notable Baseball Cards
First Mainstream Card:  2019 Bowman Prospect Autographs #PA-NH
Topps Flagship Set Appearances (0):  N/A
Favorite 2025 Card:  N/A
Total Cards in My Phillies Collection:  0 as of 1/30/26, 0 added in 2025

TCDB Stats:  14 total as of 1/30/26, 1st is mrackar with 10

Complete Chachi Checklist

2025 Chachi #49

2025 Virtual Phillies Wall / 2025 Season Summary Index / 2025 Chachi Set Checklist

2025 Chachi #48 David Robertson 

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2025 Chachi #50 Lou Trevino

The Phillies Room: February Notes

2025 Philadelphia Phillies
Kids Club / Club 215

February 2 to 8 - More Non-Roster Invitees Added:  After announcing their initial batch of 27 non-roster invitees to Spring Training, the Phillies added three more names to the mix.  Two of the three are returning to the team, while Dylan Moore is a new addition.  Moore is a veteran of seven big league seasons, mostly with the Mariners, and is a super-utility player, playing more positions than even Weston Wilson had.  He won a Gold Glove in 2024 as a utility player, a position that's apparently been recognized and awarded since 2022.

28.  Daniel Robert (rhp) - Rangers / Phillies - 2025 Topps Update #US304

29.  Dylan Moore (inf) - Mariners / Rangers - 2025 Topps #105

30.  Lou Trivino (rhp) - Giants / Dodgers / Phillies - 2022 Topps Now Road to Opening Day #OD-190

February 12 - Castellanos Released:  With no trade partners willing to take on a portion of his $20 million salary for 2025, the Phillies ultimately released Nick Castellanos (of) on February 12th.  The team had told Castellanos not to report to Clearwater.  It was a bitter ending to a three-year tenure that saw Castellanos at the center of several big moments with the club, but ultimately ending up on the wrong side of manager Rob Thomson and several (most?) of his teammates.  There's a great Matt Gelb article in The Athletic laying out all the details, and it sure doesn't paint a pretty picture of the former All-Star.

Castellanos declined quickly during his three seasons here, enjoying an All-Star first half in 2023, playing in all 162 games but with decreased production in 2024, and finishing 2025 as essentially a bench player behind Harrison Bader before Bader's injury.  In 602 games with the Phillies, he batted .260 with 82 home runs and 326 RBIs.  He's reportedly set to sign with the Padres for the 2026 season.

February 13 - New Uniform Numbers!:  It still excites me to see new uniform numbers pop up on the Phillies' website.  Some surprises include new bench coach Don Mattingly taking the #8 formerly worn by Castellanos, and leaving Johan Rojas with #23.  There were a higher than usual amount of number swaps among some potential bullpen options, including Robert (#18 from #48), Alan Rangel (#57 from #56), Tim Mayza (#37 from #54) and Trivino (#22 from #57).

Non-roster invitees getting respectably low numbers include Moore (#25), Mark Kolozsvary (#29), Tucker Davidson (#30), Liover Peguero (#31), Rene Pinto (#35), Bryan De La Cruz (#41), Trevor Richards (#43) and Bryse Wilson (#48).

And I'm assuming Justin Crawford (#80) and Andrew Painter (#76) will get updated, permanent numbers once they've officially made the roster.

2025 Chachi #48 David Robertson

Bats:  Right  Throws:  Right  Height:  5'11"  Weight:  195
Opening Day 2025 Age:  39

Born:  April 9, 1985, Birmingham, AL
Acquired:  Signed as a free agent with the Phillies, July 21, 2025

Departed:  Granted free agency, November 2, 2025
Major League Teams:  New York Yankees 2008-14; Chicago White Sox 2015-17; New York Yankees 2017-18; Philadelphia Phillies 2019; Tampa Bay Rays 2021; Chicago Cubs 2022; Philadelphia Phillies 2022; New York Mets 2023; Miami Marlins 2023; Texas Rangers 2024; Philadelphia Phillies 2025

Postseason Appearances:  New York Yankees 2009-12, 2017-18; Tampa Bay Rays 2021; Philadelphia Phillies 2022; Miami Marlins 2023; Philadelphia Phillies 2025

When David Robertson took the mound for the Phillies on August 11th, he joined Chuck Klein and Bill Hallman as only the third player to appear with the team in three different stints.  Robertson provided some veteran dependability to the bullpen, appearing in 20 games and going 2-0 with a 4.08 ERA and a pair of saves in 17 2/3 innings pitched.  Unfortunately, the last memory I'll have of him is causing trouble in the seventh inning of NLDS Game 1, departing with a pair of runners on, who would both score on a Kiké Hernandez three-run home run.  That would be Robertson's last big league appearance in a career that spanned 17 seasons, as he announced his retirement from baseball the day I composed this post.

Other Notable Baseball Cards
First Mainstream Card:  2008 Bowman Draft Picks & Prospects #BDP48
Topps Flagship Set Appearances (11):  2011-20, 2024
Favorite 2025 Card:  N/A
Total Cards in My Phillies Collection:  9 as of 1/30/26, 0 added in 2025

TCDB Stats:  789 total as of 1/30/26, my 24 cards overall are ranked 38th, 1st is FMB2345 with 163

Complete Chachi Checklist

2019 Chachi New Additions #6
2019 Chachi #25
2020 Chachi Almost #20
2022 Chachi #57

2025 Chachi #48

2025 Chachi #60 - NLDS Game 1

2025 Virtual Phillies Wall / 2025 Season Summary Index / 2025 Chachi Set Checklist

2025 Chachi #47 Harrison Bader 

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2025 Chachi #49 Nolan Hoffman

2025 Chachi #47 Harrison Bader

Bats:  Right  Throws:  Right  Height:  5'11"  Weight:  210
Opening Day 2025 Age:  30

Born:  June 3, 1994, Bronxville, NY
Acquired:  Traded by the Minnesota Twins for Hendry Mendez and Geremy Villoria, July 31, 2025

Contract Status:  Granted free agency, November 4, 2025
Major League Teams:  St. Louis Cardinals 2017-22; New York Yankees 2022-23; Cincinnati Reds 2023; New York Mets 2024; Minnesota Twins 2025; Philadelphia Phillies 2025

Postseason Appearances:  St. Louis Cardinals 2019-21; New York Yankees 2022; New York Mets 2024; Philadelphia Phillies 2025

2025 Topps Now #546

I was really hoping Harrison Bader would find his way back to the Phillies in 2026, and while it's not yet official as I'm composing this post, the popular outfielder has opted to sign with the Giants.  Bader provided a much-needed offensive and defensive spark for the club, playing the game with a little bit of mustard, and endearing himself to Phillies fans for it.  In 50 games with the Phillies, he batted .305 with 11 doubles, five home runs and 16 RBIs.  Sadly, an injury limited his playing time during the NLDS, and he was 1 for 2 in the series, with just four plate appearances.  I'm excited to see what Adolis Garcia can do in 2026, but I also would have loved to see more of Bader in red pinstripes.

Other Notable Baseball Cards
First Mainstream Card:  2016 Bowman Chrome Prospect Autographs #CPA-HB
Topps Flagship Set Appearances (8):  2018-25
Favorite 2025 Card:  2025 Topps Now #546
Total Cards in My Phillies Collection:  5 as of 1/30/26, 5 added in 2025

TCDB Stats:  2,451 total as of 1/30/26, my 21 cards overall are ranked 196th, 1st is Cardsfan345 with 357

Complete Chachi Checklist

2025 Chachi #47

2025 Virtual Phillies Wall / 2025 Season Summary Index / 2025 Chachi Set Checklist

2025 Chachi #46 Jhoan Duran 

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2025 Chachi #48 David Robertson