Scott Lauber
@scottlauber.bsky.social
Phillies/MLB reporter @ https://www.inquirer.com/author/scott_lauber/
Podcast: Phillies Extra (https://open.spotify.com/show/4i2QJvkeHIizpsSZgXEU2p)
"The Big 50 Phillies": https://www.amazon.com/Big-50-Philadelphia-Phillies-Moments/dp/1629377538
Podcast: Phillies Extra (https://open.spotify.com/show/4i2QJvkeHIizpsSZgXEU2p)
"The Big 50 Phillies": https://www.amazon.com/Big-50-Philadelphia-Phillies-Moments/dp/1629377538
Pinned
Scott Lauber
@scottlauber.bsky.social
· May 29
Phillies Extra: Bryce Harper
YouTube video by The Philadelphia Inquirer
www.youtube.com
Before he got hit on the elbow the other night, Bryce Harper sat down with “Phillies Extra,” the baseball interview show from @inquirer.com. It was a fun conversation. Watch:
—Inquirer: inquirer.com/inquirer-live/
—Facebook: facebook.com/events/10113...
—YouTube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=smHb...
—Inquirer: inquirer.com/inquirer-live/
—Facebook: facebook.com/events/10113...
—YouTube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=smHb...
‘Tis the season for prospect rankings. The @inquirer.com annual preseason Phillies top 10. Weekend baseball reading: www.inquirer.com/phillies/pro...
Ranking the Phillies’ top 10 prospects: Key question, 2026 outlook for each
The Phillies' pipeline of young talent to their major league roster has essentially been a drip over the past two years. That should change this season.
www.inquirer.com
February 1, 2026 at 3:59 PM
‘Tis the season for prospect rankings. The @inquirer.com annual preseason Phillies top 10. Weekend baseball reading: www.inquirer.com/phillies/pro...
ICYMI from Friday night: The Phillies signed veteran utilityman Dylan Moore to a minor-league contract. Details of the deal from @inquirer.com: www.inquirer.com/phillies/phi...
Phillies sign utility man Dylan Moore to a minor league contract
Moore will be a nonroster invitee to spring training, a source confirmed, after agreeing to a deal that would pay him a $1.85 base salary in the majors.
www.inquirer.com
February 1, 2026 at 3:55 PM
ICYMI from Friday night: The Phillies signed veteran utilityman Dylan Moore to a minor-league contract. Details of the deal from @inquirer.com: www.inquirer.com/phillies/phi...
Source confirms Phillies signed utilityman Dylan Moore to minor-league contract w/invite to spring training. Moore, 33, is .206/.310/.383 hitter with 63 homers in seven major-league seasons. Has played everywhere except catcher, but mostly 2B, SS, LF, RF. @willsammon.bsky.social first.
January 31, 2026 at 12:20 AM
Source confirms Phillies signed utilityman Dylan Moore to minor-league contract w/invite to spring training. Moore, 33, is .206/.310/.383 hitter with 63 homers in seven major-league seasons. Has played everywhere except catcher, but mostly 2B, SS, LF, RF. @willsammon.bsky.social first.
🚨New episode of “Phillies Extra” from @inquirer.com: Whit Merrifield, the new guy on a Phillies team that ran it back in '24, on keeping the core together again, why Rob Thomson was his favorite manager, & more.
Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/04xO...
Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/w...
Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/04xO...
Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/w...
Whit Merrifield
Spotify video
open.spotify.com
January 30, 2026 at 4:35 PM
🚨New episode of “Phillies Extra” from @inquirer.com: Whit Merrifield, the new guy on a Phillies team that ran it back in '24, on keeping the core together again, why Rob Thomson was his favorite manager, & more.
Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/04xO...
Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/w...
Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/04xO...
Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/w...
Weekend baseball reading: The guts of the Phillies’ roster is unchanged. But the pertinent question isn’t whether it’s different, but rather if it’s better. Exploring a few factors that will shape the answer. From @inquirer.com: www.inquirer.com/phillies/ros...
Are the Phillies ‘running it back?’ Maybe, but that’s not the most important question for 2026
Are the Phillies any better with a familiar cast of characters one year older? Here are a few factors to consider.
www.inquirer.com
January 24, 2026 at 2:08 PM
Weekend baseball reading: The guts of the Phillies’ roster is unchanged. But the pertinent question isn’t whether it’s different, but rather if it’s better. Exploring a few factors that will shape the answer. From @inquirer.com: www.inquirer.com/phillies/ros...
🚨 New episode of “Phillies Extra,” the baseball podcast from @PhillyInquirer. This week: Rob Thomson.
—Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/3X3x...
—Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/p...
—Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/3X3x...
—Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/p...
Rob Thomson
Podcast Episode · Phillies Extra · 01/23/2026 · 38m
podcasts.apple.com
January 23, 2026 at 2:21 PM
🚨 New episode of “Phillies Extra,” the baseball podcast from @PhillyInquirer. This week: Rob Thomson.
—Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/3X3x...
—Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/p...
—Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/3X3x...
—Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/p...
Who's got a Phillies question? Ask me here (or by email slauber@inquirer.com), and I'll try to answer on Friday's episode of "Phillies Extra," the baseball podcast from @inquirer.com. Thanks, as always.
January 21, 2026 at 4:54 PM
Who's got a Phillies question? Ask me here (or by email slauber@inquirer.com), and I'll try to answer on Friday's episode of "Phillies Extra," the baseball podcast from @inquirer.com. Thanks, as always.
Chase Utley made a sizable leap in the Hall of Fame voting, climbing to 59.1% in his third year on the ballot, up from 39.8% last year and 28.8% in 2024.
Bobby Abreu rose to 30.8% (from 19.5%), Jimmy Rollins to 25.4% (up from 18%), and Cole Hamels made his ballot debut at 23.8%.
Bobby Abreu rose to 30.8% (from 19.5%), Jimmy Rollins to 25.4% (up from 18%), and Cole Hamels made his ballot debut at 23.8%.
January 20, 2026 at 11:26 PM
Chase Utley made a sizable leap in the Hall of Fame voting, climbing to 59.1% in his third year on the ballot, up from 39.8% last year and 28.8% in 2024.
Bobby Abreu rose to 30.8% (from 19.5%), Jimmy Rollins to 25.4% (up from 18%), and Cole Hamels made his ballot debut at 23.8%.
Bobby Abreu rose to 30.8% (from 19.5%), Jimmy Rollins to 25.4% (up from 18%), and Cole Hamels made his ballot debut at 23.8%.
After the 'gut punch' of losing Bo Bichette, the Phillies ended up with J.T. Realmuto. Here’s how it happened. From @inquirer.com: www.inquirer.com/phillies/bo-...
The Phillies were ‘very close’ to getting Bo Bichette and ended up with J.T. Realmuto. Here’s how it happened.
The Phillies gave Bichette the offer he wanted: seven years, $200 million. But the Mets swooped in with a shorter-term, higher-salary offer. “It’s a gut punch,” said Dave Dombrowski.
www.inquirer.com
January 20, 2026 at 6:04 PM
After the 'gut punch' of losing Bo Bichette, the Phillies ended up with J.T. Realmuto. Here’s how it happened. From @inquirer.com: www.inquirer.com/phillies/bo-...
Sizing up the Hall of Fame chances for four prominent former Phillies on the ballot. Weekend baseball reading from @inquirer.com: www.inquirer.com/phillies/hal...
Who’s next? Sizing up the Hall of Fame chances for four Phillies on the ballot
It's another loaded ballot for the Phillies with Chase Utley, Jimmy Rollins, Bobby Abreu, and Cole Hamels. Let's examine the Cooperstown case for each before the results are announced on Tuesday.
www.inquirer.com
January 16, 2026 at 10:22 AM
Sizing up the Hall of Fame chances for four prominent former Phillies on the ballot. Weekend baseball reading from @inquirer.com: www.inquirer.com/phillies/hal...
🚨New episode of “Phillies Extra” podcast from @inquirer.com: Jesús Luzardo on his interest in a contract extension, J.T. Realmuto’s impact, why he declined two invitations to pitch in the WBC, and more.
—Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/11kh...
—Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/p...
—Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/11kh...
—Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/p...
Jesús Luzardo Returns
Podcast Episode · Phillies Extra · 01/15/2026 · 33m
podcasts.apple.com
January 15, 2026 at 5:41 PM
🚨New episode of “Phillies Extra” podcast from @inquirer.com: Jesús Luzardo on his interest in a contract extension, J.T. Realmuto’s impact, why he declined two invitations to pitch in the WBC, and more.
—Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/11kh...
—Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/p...
—Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/11kh...
—Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/p...
Weekend baseball reading from @inquirer.com: 2026 Phillies storylines, beginning with the one that everyone’s talking about this week. www.inquirer.com/phillies/bo-...
Top 2026 Phillies storylines: J.T. Realmuto or Bo Bichette, Zack Wheeler’s return, and more
Bichette would represent the biggest change to the mix since Trea Turner, but it would also be like taking a blender to the roster.
www.inquirer.com
January 10, 2026 at 7:56 PM
Weekend baseball reading from @inquirer.com: 2026 Phillies storylines, beginning with the one that everyone’s talking about this week. www.inquirer.com/phillies/bo-...
🚨New episode of "Phillies Extra," the baseball podcast from @inquirer.com. This week's guest: Phillies triple-A hitting coach Adam Lind, on Justin Crawford, Aidan Miller, and more. Please listen here:
--Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/51Fs...
--Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a...
--Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/51Fs...
--Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a...
Adam Lind
Spotify video
open.spotify.com
January 9, 2026 at 9:22 PM
🚨New episode of "Phillies Extra," the baseball podcast from @inquirer.com. This week's guest: Phillies triple-A hitting coach Adam Lind, on Justin Crawford, Aidan Miller, and more. Please listen here:
--Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/51Fs...
--Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a...
--Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/51Fs...
--Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a...
Max Kepler will be suspended 80 games after testing positive for epitrenbolone, a performance enhancing substance, in violation of MLB's Joint Drug Prevention & Treatment Program, the commissioner's office announced Friday. Kepler, a free agent, was with the Phillies last year.
January 9, 2026 at 8:11 PM
Max Kepler will be suspended 80 games after testing positive for epitrenbolone, a performance enhancing substance, in violation of MLB's Joint Drug Prevention & Treatment Program, the commissioner's office announced Friday. Kepler, a free agent, was with the Phillies last year.
Other Phillies arbitration agreements, according to league sources:
--Jesus Luzardo: $11 million
--Tanner Banks: $1.2 million
They are signed for 2026. Luzardo can be a free agent after the season; Banks was arbitration-eligible for the first time and is controllable through '28.
--Jesus Luzardo: $11 million
--Tanner Banks: $1.2 million
They are signed for 2026. Luzardo can be a free agent after the season; Banks was arbitration-eligible for the first time and is controllable through '28.
January 8, 2026 at 7:25 PM
Other Phillies arbitration agreements, according to league sources:
--Jesus Luzardo: $11 million
--Tanner Banks: $1.2 million
They are signed for 2026. Luzardo can be a free agent after the season; Banks was arbitration-eligible for the first time and is controllable through '28.
--Jesus Luzardo: $11 million
--Tanner Banks: $1.2 million
They are signed for 2026. Luzardo can be a free agent after the season; Banks was arbitration-eligible for the first time and is controllable through '28.
Also, the Phillies and Jhoan Duran agreed to a $7.5 million salary for 2026 to avoid arbitration, according to a source. Duran is under team control through the 2027 season.
January 8, 2026 at 7:25 PM
Also, the Phillies and Jhoan Duran agreed to a $7.5 million salary for 2026 to avoid arbitration, according to a source. Duran is under team control through the 2027 season.
Alec Bohm and the Phillies have agreed to a $10.2 million deal for 2026 to avoid arbitration, according to a source. Bohm will be a free agent after the season.
January 8, 2026 at 7:24 PM
Alec Bohm and the Phillies have agreed to a $10.2 million deal for 2026 to avoid arbitration, according to a source. Bohm will be a free agent after the season.
Don Mattingly brings an All-Star quality to the Phillies' coaching staff and gives him instant credibility with the players. His impact on Bryce Harper, in particular, could be significant. From @inquirer.com: www.inquirer.com/phillies/don...
How can Don Mattingly help Bryce Harper? It starts with his star power.
The playing career of Mattingly, the Phillies' new bench coach, gives him instant credibility among players, especially star players. His impact on Harper could be profound.
www.inquirer.com
January 8, 2026 at 2:01 PM
Don Mattingly brings an All-Star quality to the Phillies' coaching staff and gives him instant credibility with the players. His impact on Bryce Harper, in particular, could be significant. From @inquirer.com: www.inquirer.com/phillies/don...
Got a Phillies question? Ask me here (or by DM, or email slauber@inquirer.com), and I'll try to answer on an upcoming episode of "Phillies Extra," the baseball podcast from @inquirer.com. Thanks.
January 7, 2026 at 7:42 PM
Got a Phillies question? Ask me here (or by DM, or email slauber@inquirer.com), and I'll try to answer on an upcoming episode of "Phillies Extra," the baseball podcast from @inquirer.com. Thanks.
In June, long before they reunited with the Phillies, Don & Preston Mattingly appeared as guests on “Phillies Extra,” the baseball podcast from @inquirer.com. Learn more about their relationship by listening to this episode:
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/p...
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/p...
Don and Preston Mattingly
Podcast Episode · Phillies Extra · 06/13/2025 · 32m
podcasts.apple.com
January 5, 2026 at 2:12 PM
In June, long before they reunited with the Phillies, Don & Preston Mattingly appeared as guests on “Phillies Extra,” the baseball podcast from @inquirer.com. Learn more about their relationship by listening to this episode:
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/p...
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/p...
The Phillies are hiring Yankees icon Don Mattingly as bench coach, the team announced Monday after weeks of speculation. Mattingly, 64, is father of Phillies GM Preston Mattingly. 14-year major league career; managed for 12 seasons (LAD/Miami). Most recent: Blue Jays bench coach.
January 5, 2026 at 2:01 PM
The Phillies are hiring Yankees icon Don Mattingly as bench coach, the team announced Monday after weeks of speculation. Mattingly, 64, is father of Phillies GM Preston Mattingly. 14-year major league career; managed for 12 seasons (LAD/Miami). Most recent: Blue Jays bench coach.
Elite or not, there are things Bryce Harper can do to have a better 2026. But the Phillies need to help by better protecting him in the lineup. A look at the options. Weekend baseball reading from @inquirer.com: www.inquirer.com/phillies/bry...
‘Not elite’ Bryce Harper could use better lineup protection. Here are the Phillies’ options.
Harper created some buzz with a two-word message on his shirt. With five weeks until spring training, it’s fair to wonder if the Phillies have better alternatives than they had in 2025 to protect him.
www.inquirer.com
January 3, 2026 at 6:06 PM
Elite or not, there are things Bryce Harper can do to have a better 2026. But the Phillies need to help by better protecting him in the lineup. A look at the options. Weekend baseball reading from @inquirer.com: www.inquirer.com/phillies/bry...
When we launched a baseball podcast in February, I hoped only that we’d get to opening day. 44 episodes later, “Phillies Extra” from @inquirer.com proudly offers a “Best of 2025.” Thanks so much for listening.
Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/7ezB...
Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/p...
Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/7ezB...
Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/p...
December 29, 2025 at 2:39 PM
When we launched a baseball podcast in February, I hoped only that we’d get to opening day. 44 episodes later, “Phillies Extra” from @inquirer.com proudly offers a “Best of 2025.” Thanks so much for listening.
Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/7ezB...
Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/p...
Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/7ezB...
Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/p...
(1/2) Bryce Harper announced Tuesday on Instagram that he will play for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic. He was among the first players to commit to Team USA in 2023 but was unable to play after Tommy John elbow surgery. www.instagram.com/p/DSnC9uSkTNe/
𝐓 𝐇 𝐑 𝐄 𝐄 on Instagram: "Put the colors on my chest for the 1st time when I was 15. No other feeling like it. I’m excited to announce I will be representing Team USA this year in the WBC. Merica! 🇺🇸 #...
The journey to representing Team USA in the WBC is a thrilling experience filled with passion, dedication, and perseverance. Discover how one athlete's journey from a young age to becoming a USA repre...
www.instagram.com
December 23, 2025 at 6:39 PM
(1/2) Bryce Harper announced Tuesday on Instagram that he will play for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic. He was among the first players to commit to Team USA in 2023 but was unable to play after Tommy John elbow surgery. www.instagram.com/p/DSnC9uSkTNe/
Throw another name into the mix for the last bullpen spot. The Phillies signed RHP Zach Pop to a one-year contract, the team announced. Pop, 29, has a 4.88 ERA in 162.1 innings in his career, including a 14.85 mark last season. He's out of options. It's a major-league contract.
December 22, 2025 at 9:42 PM
Throw another name into the mix for the last bullpen spot. The Phillies signed RHP Zach Pop to a one-year contract, the team announced. Pop, 29, has a 4.88 ERA in 162.1 innings in his career, including a 14.85 mark last season. He's out of options. It's a major-league contract.