Oct 6, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies first base Kody Clemens (2) hits single in the seventh inning against the New York Mets during game two of the NLDS for the 2024 MLB Playoffs at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images
Kody Clemens will claim the Phillies' final Opening Day active roster spot, according to multiple reports on Monday.
According to @MattGelb and @ToddZolecki , Kody Clemens will be the final player on the 26-man roster for Opening Day. #Phillies will try to find a trade partner for Buddy Kennedy before Thursday. If they cannot, they will DFA him
— Kyle Fisher (@KyleFisher45) March 24, 2025
Clemens, 28, joins the Phils' big-league club for the third consecutive year. He played 47 games with the team in 2023, hitting .230/.277/.367 (.644 OPS) in 148 plate appearances, and 43 games with the team in 2024, hitting .219/.258/.447 (.706 OPS) in 120 plate appearances.
KODY CLUTCH#RingTheBell pic.twitter.com/8BYbtadUEB
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) May 19, 2024
"He has big league at-bats more and more every day," Bryce Harper said of Clemens in May '24. "He goes in there, he's never overmatched. He doesn't try to do too much. Just tries to put the ball on the barrel. I think he just does a phenomenal job — even when he's not playing or starting the game — being able to kind of lock it in later in the game against some tough pitchers."
Clemens will join Johan Rojas, Edmundo Sosa, and Rafael Marchan on the Phillies' bench most days. With major league experience at every position except centerfield and catcher, he gives the Phillies a versatile defensive tool. And he had a great spring, hitting .308/.357/.500 (.857 OPS) with two home runs in 56 plate appearances.
Buddy Kennedy remained in the competition until Monday, however, primarily due to the team's preference for another right-handed bat off the bench. It's unlikely that manager Rob Thomson will have Clemens pinch-hit in place of the righties that will be in the lineup most days (J.T. Realmuto, Alec Bohm, Trea Turner, or Nick Castellanos). Even on days when Johan Rojas starts in center, Brandon Marsh would generally be available to sub in as a lefty. But left-handed players like Marsh, Max Kepler, and Bryson Stott may take a seat at times.
In the end, Clemens' talent won out.
Final spring tune-up for the Phillies today, and its still Clemens or Kennedy for the final bench spot, w/so much focus on Clemens being a lefty bat. Friends, the Phillies hit .270 off lefties last year. They hit .257 against righties.
— Stephanie Sigafoos (@ssigafoos) March 24, 2025
Kody has versatility. Put him anywhere.
Kennedy, like Clemens, is out of minor league options, so the Phillies will seek a trade partner. He'll be designated for assignment if the team can't swing a deal before rosters are finalized on Thursday.
