Mar 14, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; Philadelphia Phillies right fielder Dylan Moore (25) hits an rbi single against the New York Yankees in the third inning during spring training at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
It looks like the Phillies have decided who will be their 26th man.
According to a report from Will Sammon at The Athletic the Phillies are in agreement on a Major League contract with utility man Dylan Moore.
Dylan Moore and the Phillies are in agreement on a major-league deal, league sources said. He is expected to be on their Opening Day roster. https://t.co/HPERIyG1il
Moore, who has been in camp with the Phillies this spring, triggered an opt-out clause he had in his contract on Friday, meaning the Phillies had 48 hours to sign him to a deal or he would become a free agent.
Moore, 33, had been battling with Bryan De La Cruz, and presumably, Garrett Stubbs for the final spot on the bench.
And while De La Cruz has had a better spring (.333/.391/.452; .843 OPS) and is currently tied with Bryson Stott for the team-lead in hits in Grapefruit League action, his minor league deal with the Phillies doesn't give him an opt out until July, so the Phillies can carry him in the minors for the time being.
Additionally, De La Cruz doesn't have the positional versatility of Moore, who can play seven positions, and won the 2024 A.L. Gold Glove award for utility players.
As for Stubbs, he has a split contract with a high minor league salary, which could be a deterrent for a team that might want to claim him off of waivers, meaning they'd have to want him a Major League job or else, they'll pass in waivers, allowing the Phillies to send him to Triple-A Lehigh Valley.
This spring, Moore is 7 for 32 (.219) with one extra base hit (a double). But he has played all over the diamond in 15 games for the Phillies and that versatility gives the Phillies so many more options in-games as it will allow manager Rob Thomson to be a little more aggressive inf he wants to pinch hit during a game as Moore can fill in at any position except catcher.
Dylan Moore is getting infield instruction from Phillies coaches. Career .206 hitter but has won a gold glove. He could win a bench job as a utility player. pic.twitter.com/Op32JYvgHq
The Phillies had two open spots on the 40-man roster. Moore will claim one of them. The other is being held for Justin Crawford, who is all but assured to be the Phillies opening day centerfielder.
The only real question that remains for the Phillies Opening Day roster is who gets the final bullpen spot, which seems to be a battle between Rule 5 pick Zach McCambley, Chase Shugart, and Zach Pop, both of whom are on the 40-man roster.
Pop is out of options, so he might have a leg up because of that as Shugart has one option remaining.
Meanwhile McCambley either has to be on the Major League roster or he has to be returned to the Miami Marlins.
However, it's uncertain if Orion Kerkering will start the season on the I.L. If he does, McCambley could make the team to get a couple more weeks of evaluation before a decision would have to be made.
