The Philadelphia Phillies managed to secure a win in their series finale against the Toronto Blue Jays, but it came at a significant cost, as they may be without reliever Caleb Kilian for an extended period.
Interim manager Don Mattingly told reporters, including Matt Gelb of The Athletic, that Kilian suffered an oblique injury on his final pitch, noting that “it didn’t look good.”
The setback is especially unfortunate after Kilian earned his first win with the Phillies by working the 12th inning. The right-hander was acquired from the San Francisco Giants in the Luis Arraez trade at the deadline, a deal that was reportedly close to collapsing before being finalized.
Kilian is expected to land on the 15-day injured list, with a potentially lengthy absence ahead. He will undergo further imaging to determine the severity of the injury and provide a clearer timeline for his return.
Caleb Kilian’s oblique injury is expected to keep him out for at least several weeks, leaving the Phillies shorthanded in the bullpen during that stretch.
The relief unit already struggled in the series against the Blue Jays, surrendering eighth-inning leads in back-to-back games. Jose Alvarado and Orion Kerkering were responsible for those breakdowns, both of which forced the contests into extra innings.
Given the recovery timeline, Kilian’s return could come close to the end of the regular season. Anything more severe than a Grade 1 strain—or any setback during rehab—could threaten the remainder of his campaign.
One bit of optimism is that Kilian works in short bursts, so he shouldn’t require an extended ramp-up once he’s back throwing from the mound. Still, while he’s sidelined, the Phillies’ setup situation in front of Jhoan Duran remains uncertain.
The timing only adds pressure, as the National League Wild Card race tightens. A recent win kept Philadelphia at least one game ahead of the San Diego Padres, but with six All-Stars on the roster, the team can’t afford to let this season slip away.
