The Philadelphia Phillies are entering 2026 with a pitching staff that most teams would envy. Even with the potential departure of Ranger Suárez, who has been a reliable left-handed presence in recent years, the Phillies remain well-positioned at the top of their rotation. The return of Cristopher Sánchez and Jesús Luzardo, both of whom enjoyed breakout seasons, and the late-season resurgence of Aaron Nola provide the club with a potent trio. Add to that the expected return of Zack Wheeler from thoracic outlet syndrome surgery, and the Phillies’ frontline pitching looks formidable on paper.
A Top-Heavy Rotation With Unfinished Business
The names at the top tell a story of dominance and promise. Sánchez’s sinker-heavy arsenal and Luzardo’s electric stuff give the Phillies a powerful one-two punch from the left side. Meanwhile, Nola’s return to form late last season offered a glimmer of hope that his durability and command could carry through 2026. And then there’s Wheeler, Philadelphia’s ace, whose recovery timeline remains cautiously optimistic. If he returns to anything resembling his pre-surgery form, the Phillies will once again field one of the National League’s most dangerous rotations. Add in Andrew Painter, the top prospect inching closer to big-league readiness, and veteran Taijuan Walker entering the final year of his contract, and it becomes clear: this team is not short on top-tier arms.
But The Phillies Depth Questions Still Loom
Yet, baseball rarely adheres to optimistic projections. The Phillies managed to use just eight non-opener starters in 2025, an anomaly in modern rotations. Betting on that level of health again would be reckless. And with the departure of pitching prospect Mick Abel in the deal that brought in closer Jhoan Duran, the once-promising minor league pitching pool now appears shallow beyond Painter. That’s why the Phillies’ latest move, signing left-hander Tucker Davidson to a minor-league deal, carries more weight than it might seem at first glance.
Davidson’s Comeback Could Arrive at the Right Time
Davidson’s recent stint in Korea’s KBO offered him a reset, and he made the most of it. In 22 starts, he compiled a 3.65 ERA across 123 1/3 innings, showcasing an ability to handle a starter’s workload with stability. While his MLB resume, spread across stints with Atlanta, Los Angeles, Kansas City, and Baltimore, features a rough 5.76 ERA over 129 2/3 innings, the Phillies are banking on the notion that Davidson is no longer the same pitcher. His early years were inconsistent, but the maturity and control he showed overseas could translate into a valuable depth piece in Triple-A and, if needed, a serviceable option in the majors.
For a Phillies team built to contend and facing the inevitable grind of a long season, Davidson might not be the savior, but he may very well be the safety net. And in this league, that can be just as valuable.
