The Philadelphia Phillies have begun the gradual process of trimming their spring training roster.
On Saturday morning, the club made its first set of moves, reducing the Grapefruit League roster from 65 players to 61. The Phillies optioned right-handed pitchers Jean Cabrera and Moises Chace, along with reliever Yoniel Curet and outfielder Gabriel Rincones Jr., to the minor leagues.
Cabrera and Rincones were sent to Triple-A Lehigh Valley, while Chace and Curet will open the season at Double-A Reading.
Even with those changes, the roster still remains crowded. Several Phillies players are currently away from camp participating in the World Baseball Classic, including Bryce Harper, Kyle Schwarber, Aaron Nola and Cristopher Sánchez.
Removing those names from the spring roster leaves exactly 50 players still in camp competing for roles as Opening Day approaches.
Here's a closer look at the four players reassigned and where they stand in the organization's plans.
Jean Cabrera emerging as MLB-ready depth
Among the four players moved, Jean Cabrera may be the closest to contributing at the major league level.
The 24-year-old right-hander made two appearances this spring, allowing just one run over 4⅓ innings. His most recent outing came Friday against the Pirates, where he threw 2⅓ solid frames.
Cabrera is expected to begin the year as the Opening Day starter for Triple-A Lehigh Valley after a strong 2025 season at Double-A Reading.
Last year he logged 137 innings with a 3.81 ERA, performing even better away from Reading's hitter-friendly home ballpark. Opposing right-handed hitters managed only a .201 batting average against him.
Despite standing just six feet tall and lacking overpowering velocity, Cabrera has found success using a combination of sinker, changeup and slider.
Signed for only $10,000 as an international free agent in 2019, he has quietly developed into one of the organization's most reliable pitching prospects.
With top prospect Andrew Painter now in the major leagues, Cabrera may be the Phillies' most MLB-ready starting pitching prospect.
If the rotation suffers an injury early in the season — particularly while Zack Wheeler recovers from thoracic outlet surgery — Cabrera could be one of the first options called up, alongside veteran Bryse Wilson.
Moises Chace focusing on recovery
For Moises Chace, the 2026 season will be more about recovery than advancement.
The 22-year-old right-hander underwent Tommy John surgery last June, cutting short what had begun as a promising year after the Phillies acquired him from Baltimore in the 2024 trade deadline deal for reliever Gregory Soto.
Before the injury, Chace appeared to be on a path similar to Cabrera's — potentially emerging as rotation depth.
Now his focus is rebuilding stamina, refining mechanics, and eventually regaining the mid-90s fastball that made him an intriguing prospect.
Because of the injury timeline, his major league debut may not come until 2027 or 2028, though that schedule will ultimately depend on how quickly he regains form.
Gabriel Rincones Jr. battling lingering knee issues
Outfielder Gabriel Rincones Jr. hasn't appeared in a Grapefruit League game this spring.
The 25-year-old has been sidelined by lingering soreness in both knees, an issue that dates back to the offseason. Rincones has been dealing with knee tendinitis and even underwent a platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection in December, though the recovery has been slower than expected.
According to Rincones, the setbacks have been frustrating.
"I was ready to be done rehabbing by December," he said recently. "But setback after setback, it's been very unprecedented stuff."
The injury comes at an unfortunate time.
Rincones entered spring training with a potential opportunity to earn a spot on the Phillies' bench. A strong camp showing — especially displaying the power he flashed last season — could have pushed him into legitimate Opening Day consideration.
Last year he hit 18 home runs in 506 plate appearances and tied for the International League lead with 80 walks, highlighting his combination of patience and power.
If he returns to full health, Rincones could still factor into the Phillies' plans later in the season — particularly if left fielder Brandon Marsh misses time.
Yoniel Curet transitioning to bullpen role
Right-hander Yoniel Curet arrives in Philadelphia as an intriguing project.
The Phillies acquired him from the Tampa Bay Rays in December in exchange for reliever Tommy McCollum. During his time in Tampa Bay's system, Curet started 80 games and reached the Triple-A level.
His strikeout numbers were eye-catching.
Between 2023 and 2024, Curet recorded 303 strikeouts in 223 innings, leading all of Minor League Baseball during that stretch.
However, questions remain about his control and pitch repertoire.
The Phillies believe his future may ultimately be in the bullpen rather than the rotation, where his upper-90s fastball and slider could play up in shorter appearances.
Spring training results have been rough so far.
Curet allowed five runs without recording an out against Detroit on Feb. 27 and later surrendered three runs on two home runs against Pittsburgh in another outing.
Improving his command will be the key to unlocking his potential.
Phillies roster picture slowly forming
Early March roster moves are routine during spring training, but they provide the first glimpse into how teams are shaping their depth charts.
For the Phillies, the initial cuts highlight two realities.
First, the organization has several intriguing pitching prospects developing behind the major league roster. And second, the team's immediate depth — particularly in the rotation — remains a question if injuries arise early in the season.
With several stars still away at the World Baseball Classic and additional roster cuts expected in the coming weeks, Philadelphia's Opening Day roster picture will continue to evolve.
For now, the first round of spring decisions has arrived — and more are right around the corner.