The Philadelphia Phillies have continued reshaping their bullpen this offseason, and the relief corps could look noticeably different when the 2026 season arrives.
After dealing away Matt Strahm and bringing in Brad Keller, the front office has now opted to bring back a familiar arm. According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the Phillies have re-signed right-handed reliever Lou Trivino to a minor league contract.
Trivino closed out the 2025 campaign in Philadelphia after spending time with multiple teams throughout the season. He appeared in 47 total games split between the San Francisco Giants, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Phillies, posting a 3.97 ERA with 37 strikeouts. While the overall numbers were solid, his performance improved down the stretch. In 10 appearances with Philadelphia, Trivino was particularly effective, recording a 2.00 ERA and providing stability in the middle innings.
Originally selected by the Oakland Athletics in the 11th round of the 2013 MLB Draft, Trivino made his major league debut in 2018 and quickly established himself as a reliable bullpen piece. That rookie season was one of his best, as he posted a 2.92 ERA across 69 appearances and helped form a dominant late-inning duo with Blake Treinen.
The following season proved more challenging, as Trivino struggled to a 5.25 ERA in 2019. He rebounded during the shortened 2020 season, however, logging a 3.86 ERA in 20 games. His role expanded in 2021, when he appeared in 71 games, finished with a 3.18 ERA, and collected 22 saves while serving as Oakland’s primary closer.
Trivino’s momentum stalled again in 2022. Over 39 games with the Athletics, he posted a 6.47 ERA despite earning 10 saves. That summer, Oakland traded him to the New York Yankees as part of a package that also included Frankie Montas. The move appeared to rejuvenate Trivino, as he excelled in 25 games with New York, posting an impressive 1.66 ERA.
Unfortunately, injuries derailed that resurgence. Tommy John surgery and subsequent shoulder issues sidelined Trivino for both the 2023 and 2024 seasons. When he finally returned to action, he was not quite the same pitcher. His fastball velocity dipped, and his ability to generate ground balls declined sharply. According to Baseball Savant, his ground-ball rate fell from 52.3 percent in 2022 to just 35.6 percent in 2025.
Now heading into his age-34 season, Trivino faces an uphill battle to reestablish himself. Still, the Phillies see value in bringing him back on a low-risk deal. Philadelphia’s bullpen hierarchy currently features Jhoan Duran as the closer, with José Alvarado and Keller expected to handle setup duties. Behind them, Orion Kerkering and Tanner Banks are projected to fill important roles.
Trivino will need to earn his spot by outperforming several competitors during spring training, including Jonathan Bowlan, Kyle Backhus, Zach Pop, Tim Mayza, and other minor league arms. Bowlan, acquired in the Strahm trade, posted a 3.86 ERA in 2025 and could be a strong contender. However, given the struggles of some of the other relievers last season, Trivino has a realistic opportunity to pitch his way onto the roster.
Ultimately, the signing represents a classic low-risk, potential high-reward move for the Phillies as they search for dependable middle-relief options.
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