The Philadelphia Phillies have gotten off to a rough start in 2026. Offensively, the team is performing below expectations and pitching-wise, the Phillies rank 21st in the MLB for ERA.
With star pitcher Zack Wheeler having yet to see the mound in 2026 because of a shoulder surgery, Phillies fans are holding out hope for a return that could hopefully flip their season upside down.
But the Phillies are actively working to address their all-round poor performance this season, and they’ve done so by sending a top pitching prospect to the team who defeated them in the playoffs last season.
The Los Angeles Dodgers.
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The Phillies Trade Griff McGarry To The Los Angeles Dodgers
Phillies beat writer at MLB.com, Todd Zolecki, announced that the Philadelphia Phillies traded right-handed pitching prospect Griff McGary to the Dodgers via an X tweet on April 14.
In exchange for McGarry, the Phillies will receive international bonus pool space and a player to be named later or cash considerations. Adding more bonus pool space will help the Phillies pursue players in international free agency to develop in their farm system.
Currently, the Phillies farm system ranks 20th out of the 30 MLB teams.
Per an article by Steve Adams at MLB Trade Rumors, he states, “It’s not yet clear how much international pool space is going back to the Phillies.”
“But bonus pool allotments have to be traded in increments of $250K (unless it’s the remainder of a pool that’s currently at less than $250K total),” Adams stated. “In all likelihood, the Phils are adding one or two slots, giving them a bit of extra spending capacity to bring in some teenage talent on the international amateur market.”
McGarry, 26, was drafted in the fifth round of the 2021 MLB draft by the Phillies. During his time within the organization he has yet to see a big league mound.
Through five games in triple-A this season, McGarry posted a 9.00 ERA in only four innings pitched. Despite his poor performance in 2026, McGarry has a 4.21 ERA, 424 strikeouts, and a 1.35 WHIP in 108 minor league appearances.
“According to Fangraphs, McGarry has thrown a fastball, cutter, slider, curveball, and change-up. His arsenal has been simplified to a fastball-slider mix,” Nelson Espinal at Yahoo Sports stated. “His control is McGarry’s biggest weakness, which has been worsened by his stuff regressing over the years.”
In 2023, McGarry was ranked the no. 3 overall prospect in the Phillies organization. McGarry reached Triple-A quickly, he made his first start in 2022, but has struggled ever since.
In his career at the Triple-A level, McGarry has made four starts and appeared in 45 total games, sporting an 8.48 ERA across 52 innings of work.
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Philadelphia Phillies 2026 Pitching Moves
Over the last week, the Phillies have made a plethora of pitching moves in hopes of improving their 9-8 start in 2026.
On April 7, they optioned LHP Kyle Backhus to Triple-A affiliate Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs to make room for RHP Orion Kerking after he was reinstated from the 15-day IL. The next day, the Milwaukee Brewers traded Steward Berroa to the Phillies for cash.
The organization signed two right-handed pitchers to minor league contracts, and had RHP Seth Johnson called up to the big leagues and sent back down within 24 hours.
The week of wacky pitching moves is likely in preparation of Zack Wheeler’s return to the major league mound. Wheeler is set to make his fourth rehab start on Tuesday, April 14, if all goes well, he will find himself somewhere in the Phillies rotation as early as next week.
Phillies Trade Top Pitching Prospect To Dodgers Amid Season Struggles