Kody Clemens wins final bench spot on Phillies’ opening day roster, Dave Dombrowski says.
Philadelphia Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski announced on Monday that utility player Kody Clemens has secured the final spot on the team’s Opening Day roster, edging out infielder Buddy Kennedy.
Clemens, 28, is the son of former MLB pitcher Roger Clemens.He joined the Phillies in 2023 via a trade with the Detroit Tigers and has since appeared in 90 games for Philadelphia.In the 2024 season, Clemens posted a batting line of .219/.258/.447, with five home runs and 18 RBIs.
During the current spring training, Clemens showcased his versatility by playing multiple positions, including first and third base, as well as the corner outfield spots.He also delivered several clutch hits late in games, reinforcing his value as a utility player.
Dombrowski acknowledged the team’s preference for Clemens, stating, “We’ve always liked Kody Clemens. We think he’s a big-league player.”Despite the Phillies’ lineup being predominantly left-handed, the decision to retain Clemens over the right-handed-hitting Kennedy was influenced by manager Rob Thomson’s assessment that Kennedy’s opportunities would be limited early in the season.
Kennedy, a 26-year-old infielder from Millville, New Jersey, and grandson of former Phillies player Don Money, was informed that he did not make the roster.Dombrowski indicated that the Phillies are exploring trade opportunities for Kennedy and will designate him for assignment if a deal is not reached by Thursday’s roster deadline.
With Clemens securing the final bench spot, the Phillies’ Opening Day roster is nearly set as they prepare to face the Washington Nationals on March 27.
