Phillies Adjust Lineup as Trea Turner Scratched from Opening Day Matchup

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Philadelphia Phillies began the 2025 MLB season on March 28, with a game against the Washington Nationals featuring Trea Turner. However, for Game 2, slated for March 29 at 4:05 p.m., Kyle Schwarber returns to the leadoff spot in the batting order.

Schwarber will lead off against Nationals right-hander Jake Irvin, as the Phillies adapt their lineup. The team has opted to showcase Turner at-bats against left-handed starters, elevating Schwarber’s role. Expected to fill the top four slots in the lineup are Schwarber, followed by Turner, Bryce Harper, and Alec Bohm.

New addition Max Kepler will bat fifth, accompanied by J.T. Realmuto, Nick Castellanos, Bryson Stott, and Brandon Marsh, who rounds out the batting order in ninth. Notably, Turner had to be scratched from the lineup due to back spasms, which resulted in Edmundo Sosa shifting to shortstop and taking the ninth spot. Consequently, Bohm will move from the fourth position to batting second.

Jesús Luzardo, who recently completed preseason with a 9.49 ERA, will make his regular-season debut for the Phillies. Luzardo joined the team in a trade last December and will face a formidable Nationals lineup. The left-handed pitcher hopes to capitalize on his spring training performance, where he racked up 16 strikeouts in 12.1 innings pitched.

The series against the Nationals continues tomorrow, with Aaron Nola set to make his first appearance of the 2025 season. The Phillies will then return to Citizens Bank Park on Monday, where Cristopher Sánchez will start.