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BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - JUNE 24: Ceddanne Rafaela #43 of the Boston Red Sox tags out Steward Berroa #37 of the Toronto Blue Jays during the ninth inning at Fenway Park on June 24, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Brian Fluharty/Getty Images)
Late Thursday night, the Philadelphia Phillies optioned infielder Otto Kemp to Triple-A. The Phillies are coming off a sweep of the San Diego Padres, and look to keep the winning ways intact in perhaps the biggest weekend series on the MLB slate, where Philadelphia will stay on its West Coast swing to face the Los Angeles Dodgers in a NLDS rematch.
Before the Dodgers series, reports are surfacing that the Phillies are making a roster move, which will be the corresponding move for Otto Kemp’s demotion. Justin Wrobleski is set to get the start for the Dodgers on Friday evening in Dodger Stadium, and the Phils will send Zack Wheeler to the mound.
The Phillies X account wrote: “Prior to tonight’s game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Phillies announced the following roster moves: Outfielder Steward Berroa recalled from triple-A Lehigh Valley and will wear No. 39 Infielder/outfielder Otto Kemp optioned to Lehigh Valley following Wednesday’s game.”
Aaron Nola is also going to the paternity list, and pitcher Nolan Hoffman is being recalled.
Prior to tonight’s game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Phillies announced the following roster moves:
Outfielder Steward Berroa recalled from triple-A Lehigh Valley and will wear No. 39
Infielder/outfielder Otto Kemp optioned to Lehigh Valley following Wednesday’s game
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Phillies Reportedly Set to Call Up Steward Berroa
GettyBOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – JUNE 24: Ceddanne Rafaela #43 of the Boston Red Sox tags out Steward Berroa #37 of the Toronto Blue Jays during the ninth inning at Fenway Park on June 24, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Brian Fluharty/Getty Images)
It hasn’t been announced by the team officially yet, but a couple of Phillies reporters believe that Steward Berroa will be the corresponding move for the Otto Kemp news.
@TheDeeVoShow wrote: “Per Gelb, Phillies adding Steward Berroa to the big league roster. Otto Kemp being optioned back down. Who is Steward Berroa? He is switch-hitting outfielder. He’s had cups of coffee at the big league level for the Brewers and Blue Jays. .761 OPS with the Iron Pigs this year.”
Here is what Matt Gelb himself (Phillies reporter for The Athletic) wrote (on Friday morning):
“The Phillies optioned Otto Kemp to Triple-A Lehigh Valley, team sources told The Athletic. They are expected to add Steward Berroa, a switch-hitting outfielder, to the active roster. Berroa was a waiver claim last month. He turns 27 in June and has 30 career games in the majors with the Toronto Blue Jays and Milwaukee Brewers. He has a .761 OPS in 168 plate appearances in Triple A this season while mostly playing center field. Berroa probably will not play much for the Phillies, but he can provide speed and defense. That is not something the Phillies have had on their bench.”
It’s a late start time for Phillies fans on the East Coast, so there is no telling when the team will officially announce the move.
The Phillies have optioned Otto Kemp to AAA Lehigh Valley.
They have called up switch-hitting OF Steward Berroa per @MattGelb
Berroa has posted a .752 OPS with 4 HRs in 40 games so far in 2026.
They acquired Berroa for cash considerations from the Brewers on April 8th.
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Steward Berroa’s MLB Career
Steward Berroa has played in parts of just two MLB seasons over his career, but he is still just 26-years-old.
Despite seeing some offensive success in the minors, Berroa just doesn’t project well at the plate in MLB.
In 2024, he received 37 at-bats with the Toronto Blue Jays and batted .189 with one double and seven total hits. Last season, his stint in MLB was even more brief with the Milwaukee Brewers, where he recorded just five at-bats.
Otto Kemp wasn’t cutting it at the plate either, but the recalling of Steward Berroa is a move for depth purposes only.
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TJ French covers the MLB for Heavy. TJ is a graduate of the University of Georgia. He has 2+ years of writing experience. Follow TJ French on X: @tj_french5 More about TJ French