Phillies

Phillies Reportedly Calling Up Alex McFarlane

By Luke Arcaini

Published: Jul 20th, 2026 · 10:04 AM EDT

---

The Phillies are calling up their 17th-ranked prospect Alex McFarlane, according to multiple reports.

Can confirm that the @Phillies are calling up RHP Alex McFarlane to the big leagues. No. 17 prospect had 2.06 ERA, 12.1 K/9, .187 BAA for Double-A Reading. Could provide good boost to #Phillies bullpen. Looks like @MLN_X_ had it first?

— Jonathan Mayo (@JonathanMayo) July 20, 2026

McFarlane was brought up to the majors back on April 24th but never made an appearance. At the time, the Phillies had Brad Keller in their bullpen and were not struggling for arms.

That is no longer the case.

McFarlane, 25, has been throwing gas down in Double-A, topping out at 102 and sitting around the 99-100 mark. He’s tallied a 2.06 ERA in 32 games with 12 saves in 35 innings with 47 strikeouts and a 1.15 WHIP.

The Phillies bullpen has been trending downward over the last few weeks, and the Keller UCL tear was the big hit. They’re in desperate need for arms, and with two weeks until the trade deadline, the team will see what McFarlane has at the big league level.

The corresponding move, most likely, will be Alan Rangel optioned to AAA. If the Phillies work their rotation around, they’ll only need the 5th starter spot one more time before the deadline. If the move, which will be announced later, is not Rangel, I’ll update the story when that comes out.