The 2025 MLB regular season is almost here as clubs continue to trim their rosters before Opening Day. The Philadelphia Phillies have already sent several names packing within the last week, including some players that fans weren't ready to see go just yet.
Spring training is all about making tough roster-related decisions, though, meaning it's rare for fans to go through the exhibition slate without some heartbreak. Unfortunately, the latest batch of Phillies roster moves is bound to upset the fanbase again.
Phillies Make Mistake by Demoting RHP Nabil Crismatt Before Opening Day
The Phillies announced various player demotions ahead of Saturday's spring training showdown with the New York Yankees. While some players deserve to be sent to the minors, right-handed reliever Nabil Crismatt — who was sent to minor-league camp — is one individual who Philly fans wanted to see in the Majors.
Prior to today’s game, the Phillies optioned OF Cal Stevenson and RHP Kyle Tyler to Lehigh Valley (AAA). Additionally, the following players were reassigned to minor league camp: INF Christian Arroyo, C Josh Breaux, RHP Nabil Crismatt and OF Oscar Mercado.
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) March 22, 2025
Crismatt joined the Phillies over the offseason looking to prove that he's still capable of being a big-league reliever. Although he spent most of the 2024 campaign in the minors, the 30-year-old righty showed promise in five relief appearances with the L.A. Dodgers, pitching to a 2.57 ERA while recording six strikeouts with seven hits allowed in as many innings.
The change in scenery hasn't hurt Crismatt, who's pitched well for the Phillies in spring training. He's played 10 2/3 innings in seven exhibition appearances (2 starts) so far, tallying a 2.53 ERA, eight strikeouts, one walk allowed, and a save.
Unfortunately, Crismatt's performance wasn't good enough to keep him in the Phillies bullpen.
Having said that, the veteran Colombian hurler is out of options, limiting his ability to transfer between the Majors and minors. It's possible that the Phillies will let him dominate Triple-A before calling him up once the first major pitching-related injury occurs.
Hopefully, Crismatt doesn't take his demotion too hard and finds a way to maintain his current momentum. Reliable relievers are crucial to a team's success, so it might not be long before he's pitching meaningful innings with the Phillies again.