Spring is in the air in Philadelphia, and that means one thing for baseball fans: the Phillies are back in action, gearing up for what promises to be a pivotal 2026 season. After a winter marked by snowstorms and a flurry of off-field changes, the Phillies have already kicked off their spring training camp more than a week before February 19, and anticipation is building for the official start of Grapefruit League play. The team’s first exhibition game is set for Saturday, February 21, against the Toronto Blue Jays in Dunedin, Florida, followed by their home debut at BayCare Ballpark the very next day against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
For fans eager to follow every pitch, this preseason offers more access than ever before. NBC Sports Philadelphia is stepping up its coverage, broadcasting 17 games—nine on its main channel and eight more on NBC Sports Philadelphia+. MLB Network joins the party with six additional games, though only a pair will be available in the Philly market due to blackout rules. For those who prefer to listen, 94.1 WIP will air 10 weekend matchups on the radio, ensuring that nearly every moment of Phillies spring training is just a click or dial away. Between these networks, MLB.com, and the Phillies’ own streaming options, all but three of the club’s 30 Grapefruit League games will be broadcast in some form.
Returning to the broadcast booth is the familiar voice of Tom McCarthy, now entering his 19th season as the Phillies’ TV play-by-play announcer. He’ll be joined by a rotating cast of analysts, including Rubén Amaro Jr., Ben Davis, and the ever-popular John Kruk. There’s a bit of Hollywood flair too: 2008 World Series MVP Cole Hamels is back for a second stint in the booth, calling several spring training games starting in mid-March. Hamels admitted last year that broadcasting was a “crash course,” saying, “I tried to tell myself, ‘Don’t overtalk. Don’t be long-winded. Don’t just talk to talk.’ I start watching the game and enjoying it, and I forget sometimes I have to talk.” (as told to The Inquirer in September).
But perhaps the biggest off-field storyline is the absence of a familiar face. Taryn Hatcher, who spent eight years covering all four major Philly teams for NBC Sports Philadelphia and became a mainstay on Phillies broadcasts, is officially out as the sideline reporter this season. Her departure follows a reported contract dispute after the 2025 campaign, and sources confirm that NBC Sports Philadelphia has eliminated the in-stadium reporter position altogether. Hatcher’s exit is part of a broader wave of change, as the Phillies have also seen Nick Castellanos depart for San Diego and Harrison Bader head to San Francisco during the recent offseason. The loss of Hatcher, in particular, has left fans and colleagues alike reflecting on her impact, with some calling her the team’s “biggest loss of the offseason.”
In a move that softens the blow for longtime Phillies followers, veteran reporter Jim Salisbury returns to the fold as a Digital Writer for the club. Salisbury’s roots with the Phillies run deep—he’s covered the team since 1997, first for the Philadelphia Inquirer and then for NBC Sports Philadelphia, where he spent 13 seasons before departing in January 2023. While it’s unclear how much on-air presence Salisbury will have, his experience and insight are sure to be an asset for fans hungry for in-depth coverage.
On the diamond, the Phillies’ roster looks strikingly similar to last year’s, but there are plenty of fresh storylines to keep an eye on. The team is coming off two consecutive NLDS postseason exits, and with a potential lockout looming that could threaten the 2027 season, this year feels like a “last, best chance” for the current core to finally capture that elusive World Series title. Veterans like Justin Crawford and Andrew Painter are expected to play significant roles from the outset, while top prospect Aidan Miller—ranked No. 23 in all of baseball—will get valuable reps at third base during spring training. If Alec Bohm struggles early, Miller could be in line for a swift promotion from Triple-A.
There’s also a high-profile newcomer in the outfield: Adolis García, who arrives to replace Castellanos and brings serious power, having hit 39 home runs for the Texas Rangers just two seasons ago. The Phillies will also be well-represented on the international stage, with 11 players—including Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber—leaving camp early to participate in the World Baseball Classic, which kicks off March 5 in Tokyo. Three pitchers will break from their usual routines to join the tournament, adding another layer of intrigue to the team’s early preparations.
For fans eager to catch every moment, the broadcast schedule is packed. The Grapefruit League opener against the Blue Jays on February 21 airs on NBC Sports Philadelphia, as does the home opener against the Pirates the next day. Throughout spring training, games will be available on a mix of NBC Sports Philadelphia, NBC Sports Philadelphia+, MLB Network, and MLB.com, with select contests streamed directly through the Phillies’ website. NBC Sports Philadelphia is also available as a standalone streaming option via MLB.com for $24.99 a month, or as an add-on to Peacock, Hulu + Live TV, and YouTube TV. However, due to ongoing carriage disputes, the channel remains unavailable on Fubo, Sling TV, and DirecTV Stream.
Radio listeners can tune into 94.1 WIP for weekend games, with play-by-play duties handled by Scott Franzke, now in his 21st season, and analysts Larry Anderson and Kevin Stocker. For those who can’t catch the television or radio broadcasts, MLB.com will offer audio feeds for select midweek road games, ensuring no fan is left behind.
Spring training also brings a test run for Major League Baseball’s new automatic ball-strike (ABS) challenge system, which will be fully rolled out in the regular season. The rules are straightforward: pitchers, catchers, or batters can challenge a ball or strike call by tapping their head immediately after the umpire’s decision. Each team starts with two challenges, losing one only when a challenge is unsuccessful. If all challenges are used and the game heads to extra innings, teams are awarded one additional challenge per inning. The Phillies plan to give the system a “healthy test drive” this spring.
Opening Day for the regular season is set for March 26, 2026, against the Texas Rangers at Citizens Bank Park, where the Phillies will raise their 2025 NL East pennant. With a roster blending seasoned veterans and promising youth, a revamped broadcast team, and a city hungry for postseason glory, the Phillies’ 2026 campaign is shaping up to be one of the most compelling in recent memory. As the first pitches of spring training fly, all eyes are on Clearwater and Dunedin—because in Philadelphia, hope springs eternal, and baseball season is finally back.