Overview
- Coming off a hamstring setback, Kerkering worked one inning Friday against the Tigers and allowed one run on two hits over 16 pitches, all fastballs and sweepers.
- Manager Rob Thomson said Kerkering was fine and emphasized the need to see the splitter added this spring at pitching coach Caleb Cotham’s suggestion.
- Kerkering said his readiness for Opening Day is undecided and he is slated to try the splitter in a minor-league game Monday, the final day of big-league camp.
- If he opens the season on the injured list, MLB’s three-day backdating could shorten his minimum stay and open another bullpen spot for Philadelphia.
- Elsewhere in camp, Justin Crawford tripled off Tarik Skubal and Cristopher Sánchez was named the Phillies’ Opening Day starter.