Phillies Spring Training 2026: Key Dates, Roster Notes, and What to Watch in Clearwater
It may still feel like winter in Philly, but baseball is already on the horizon. The Philadelphia Phillies are gearing up to head south to Clearwater, Florida, where spring training is about to kick off-and with it, the unofficial start of the 2026 MLB season.
There’s a certain rhythm to this time of year. The bats start cracking, the gloves start popping, and hope starts building. And while there’s still snow on the ground back home, the Phillies will soon be lacing up under the Florida sun, preparing for a season they hope ends with a deep October run.
Roster Set, but Questions Remain
The Phillies didn’t overhaul their roster this offseason, but they didn’t need to. After re-signing core veterans Kyle Schwarber and J.T.
Realmuto, the front office added some key reinforcements in right fielder Adolis García and reliever Brad Keller. It’s a group that’s largely familiar, with a few fresh faces who could make a real impact.
Don't expect many more fireworks before Opening Day-at least not in terms of big-name additions. The Phillies may still make a few fringe moves to round out the roster, but for the most part, the team that shows up to the Carpenter Complex will look a lot like the one fans saw last fall.
When Do the Phillies Report?
Circle February 11 on your calendar-that’s when pitchers and catchers are due to report. Some players may arrive early (as they often do), but that’s the official start of camp.
Position players typically follow about five days later. However, because of this year’s World Baseball Classic, things are a little different.
Phillies players participating in the WBC will report a day earlier than usual, on February 12. The full squad’s first workout is set for February 16, which is when spring training really starts to take shape.
Non-Roster Invitees to Watch
The Phillies have announced 27 non-roster invitees for camp, and while most won’t crack the Opening Day roster, a few names are worth keeping an eye on. Top prospects Justin Crawford and Aidan Miller headline the group. These are guys who represent the future of the franchise-and depending on how they perform in Clearwater, they could force some interesting conversations in the front office.
There are also a handful of veteran invitees who could push for bench or bullpen spots with strong springs. Every year, a surprise or two emerges from this group-and with a team looking to fine-tune around the edges, don’t be shocked if one of them breaks through.
WBC Impact: Who’s Leaving Camp?
Here’s the wrinkle: ten Phillies players-including Bryce Harper, Kyle Schwarber, and Cristopher Sánchez-are confirmed to be playing in the World Baseball Classic. That means they’ll be leaving Phillies camp to join their national teams ahead of the tournament, which runs from March 4 through March 17.
Pool play wraps up on March 11, so expect some of those players to return to camp shortly after that, depending on how far their teams advance. For fans hoping to catch all their favorites in Clearwater, the timing of the WBC might make that a bit tricky.
Grapefruit League and Key Spring Matchups
Once camp gets rolling, the Phillies will dive into a full Grapefruit League slate-29 games in total. It all starts on Saturday, February 21, with a road game against the Toronto Blue Jays in Dunedin.
First pitch is set for 1:05 p.m. ET at TD Ballpark.
The following day, February 22, marks the Phillies’ spring home opener at BayCare Ballpark against the Pittsburgh Pirates. That one starts at 1:07 p.m. ET.
Another date to watch: March 4. That’s when the Phillies will play an exhibition game against Team Canada, right before the WBC kicks off. It’s a unique opportunity to see big-league talent square off in an international tune-up.
Prospects in the Spotlight: MLB Spring Breakout
For fans eager to see the next generation of Phillies stars, the MLB Spring Breakout event is a must-watch. This year, Phillies prospects will take the field for two games-against the Minnesota Twins' prospects on March 19 and the Baltimore Orioles' prospects on March 21.
Events like these give front offices a closer look at how their top young talent stacks up against other systems, and they give fans a sneak peek at who could be making noise in the minors-or even pushing for MLB time-sooner than expected.
Wrapping Up in Florida, Heading North
The Phillies wrap up their Grapefruit League schedule on March 23 against the Tampa Bay Rays. After that, it’s time to head north and get ready for the real thing. Opening Day at Citizens Bank Park is set for March 26, when the Phillies will host the defending World Series champion Texas Rangers.
So while it may still be chilly outside, baseball is heating up. The Phillies have their eyes on a return to October-and it all starts in Clearwater.