Philadelphia Phillies DFA Former Top Prospect Starting Pitcher
The Phillies selected the contract of RHP Walker Buehler (No. 31) from Lehigh Valley (AAA). To make room on the 28-man roster, LHP José Alvarado was placed on the 15-day IL (retro to 9/11) with a left forearm strain & to make room on the 40-man roster, RHP Matt Manning was DFA’d.
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) September 12, 2025
Manning, 27, was acquired from the Detroit Tigers at the trade deadline in exchange for outfielder Josueth Quinonez. Despite his pedigree as a ninth overall pick in the 2016 draft, he never appeared at the MLB level for Philadelphia.
Instead, Manning spent time at Double-A Reading, where he struggled with command in two starts, allowing six earned runs and seven walks across five innings. Over his four-year MLB career, Manning holds a 4.43 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, with 178 strikeouts across 254 innings and 50 starts.
Walker Buehler Joins Phillies Rotation
The roster shuffle also saw left-hander José Alvarado placed on the injured list with a forearm strain, retroactive to September 11. That move paved the way for Buehler, who was signed before the September 1 postseason eligibility deadline.
Buehler, a two-time All-Star and postseason standout with the Los Angeles Dodgers, will now get the chance to show if he can earn a playoff roster spot with Philadelphia.
Strained left forearm for José Alvarado, Phillies said. He’s on the IL.
— Ty Daubert (@TyDaubert) September 12, 2025
Matt Manning was DFA’d to make room on the 40-man roster for Walker Buehler.
As for Manning, he now heads to waivers. Given his past prospect status, another club may take a chance on him despite his recent struggles.
If claimed, Manning would remain under team control for four more seasons, but his lack of minor-league options beginning next year could make him a difficult fit.
Photo Credit: Mike Watters-Imagn Images
