With spring training right around the corner, the Philadelphia Phillies aren’t quite finished tweaking their roster. The club added another experienced arm over the weekend, reportedly bringing back veteran right-hander Lou Trivino on a minor league contract, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. The deal includes an invitation to major league camp, giving the Pennsylvania native another opportunity to compete for a spot on the big league roster this spring.
A product of Green Lane, Pennsylvania, Trivino pitched collegiately at Slippery Rock University before carving out a major league career. He initially joined the Phillies on a minor league pact last summer and spent time sharpening his form at Triple-A with the Lehigh Valley IronPigs. His steady work there earned him a late-season call-up in 2025, marking his Phillies debut.
Once his contract was selected on Aug. 26, Trivino made the most of his opportunity. In 10 appearances down the stretch, he logged nine innings and posted an impressive 2.00 ERA while striking out eight batters. That brief but effective showing helped position him for another look as the organization prepares for a competitive spring.
Before returning to Philadelphia, Trivino split time last season between the San Francisco Giants and the Los Angeles Dodgers, compiling a 4.42 ERA over 38 2/3 innings across the two stops. While those numbers were solid, his broader résumé paints the picture of a dependable reliever. Over six major league seasons, the 34-year-old owns a career 3.87 ERA in 332 2/3 innings, demonstrating durability and the ability to handle high-leverage moments.
This latest signing adds another layer to what is shaping up to be a crowded and highly competitive bullpen picture. President of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski has prioritized depth throughout the offseason, stockpiling arms to ensure the team is prepared for the long grind of the regular season. Still, there are only so many bullpen spots available when Opening Day arrives.
At present, five of the eight projected bullpen jobs appear accounted for, with Jhoan Durán, José Alvarado, Brad Keller, Orion Kerkering, and Tanner Banks seemingly locked into roles. Newcomer Jonathan Bowlan is widely viewed as a strong candidate to secure a sixth spot, leaving just two openings for a sizable pool of contenders.
Trivino will have to battle through a long list of competitors already on the 40-man roster. Among them are Rule 5 selection Zach McCambley, as well as Zach Pop, Kyle Backhus, Seth Johnson, Chase Shugart, Max Lazar, and Nolan Hoffman. That alone makes for a tightly packed field, but the competition doesn’t stop there.
The Phillies are also inviting several non-roster pitchers to camp, further intensifying the fight for those final bullpen assignments. That group includes Michael Mercado, Tim Mayza, Génesis Cabrera, Trevor Richards, Jonathan Hernández, Daniel Robert, Andrew Bechtold, and Andrew Walling. With that many arms in camp, strong performances will be essential, and even solid outings may not guarantee a roster spot.
Predicting how the bullpen will ultimately shape up is difficult at this stage. There are still several weeks of workouts, Grapefruit League games, and roster decisions ahead before the Phillies finalize their Opening Day roster. Performance, health, and roster flexibility will all factor heavily into those decisions.
There is a realistic possibility that Trivino, along with several other veterans on minor league deals, begins the season back at Triple-A. However, the organization’s emphasis on depth means that opportunities can emerge quickly. Injuries, workload management, and in-season adjustments frequently create openings in bullpens over the course of a 162-game schedule.
By continuing to add experienced options like Trivino, the Phillies are positioning themselves to weather the inevitable ups and downs of a long campaign. Even if he doesn’t break camp with the major league club, his prior success and track record suggest he could be among the first arms called upon when the need arises. In the meantime, he’ll head to spring training with a legitimate chance to earn his place and extend his time in Philadelphia.
