Gabriel Rincones: Everything you need to know

Rincones (knee) started in right field and went 1-for-5 in his return to the lineup Tuesday in Triple-A Lehigh Valley's 5-4 loss to Buffalo after being reinstated from the 7-day injured list. Tuesday marked the 2026 Triple-A debut for Rincones, who had been on the shelf all season while recovering from left knee soreness. Rincones was cleared to rejoin the Triple-A club after going 6-for-33 (.182 average) with a home run, two steals and an 8:9 BB:K over 41 plate appearances in 10 rehab games between Single-A Clearwater and High-A Jersey Shore.

Triple-A Lehigh Valley placed Rincones (knee) on the 7-day injured list Friday. Before being optioned to Triple-A on March 7, Rincones had been shut down for much of spring training due to a sore left knee and apparently still needs more time to heal up from the injury. Assuming the knee issue doesn't prove to be a long-term concern, Rincones should still have a chance at making his MLB debut at some point later on in 2026 if he can hit the ground running once he's cleared to play at Triple-A.

The Phillies optioned Rincones (knee) to Triple-A Lehigh Valley, Paul Casella of MLB.com reports. Rincones spent the entire 2025 season in Triple-A, where he slashed .242/.366/.430 with 22 steals (on 27 attempts), 18 home runs and 73 in 505 plate appearances. He's currently working through a left knee injury, and it's unclear whether he'll be available for the start of the regular season.