The Phillies are heading into Kansas City with a bullpen problem they can’t ignore, and the answer appears to be a familiar left arm.
Philadelphia is set to recall Tanner Banks as it prepares for a three-game series against the Royals, with the club using the open spot created by Alan Rangel’s move back to the minors. The Phillies have a rare Friday off because of soccer in Kansas City, then open the series Saturday after splitting four games with the Pittsburgh Pirates on the road.
The timing makes sense. The Phillies are playing well and sit 10 games over .500, but the relief corps still needs help, especially in the middle innings and from the left side. That need has grown more urgent because of the struggles from Banks and Jose Alvarado.
Banks was a key piece for Philadelphia in 2025, but this season has gone in a different direction. In 2026, he owns a 5.86 ERA with 31 strikeouts across 27.2 innings.
His strikeout rate has ticked up a bit, but the rest of the profile has slipped, and his control has been a real issue. He has already walked more hitters this year than he did all of last season.
That traffic on the bases has led to trouble, reflected in his 1.92 WHIP. The Phillies sent him to the minors for a reset not long ago, and now they’re bringing him back to see whether that break can get him back on track.
For now, the move gives Philadelphia another left-handed option in a bullpen that badly needs one. If Banks keeps struggling, the Phillies may not stop with just this one adjustment and could look to add at least one more arm to the middle-relief mix.
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