Injury updates: Phillies building up reliever as ‘length option' during rehab assignment

Tanner Banks is on a minor-league rehab assignment. (Madeline Ressler/Phillies Nation) PHILADELPHIA — Left-hander Tanner Banks (forearm strain) became eligible to come off the 60-day injured list on Monday. He'll remain on his minor-league rehab assignment for at least a bit longer. The Phillies want Banks, who began his rehab assignment with Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Aug. 26, to settle into handling a multi-inning workload before any potential return. 'He's kind of getting built to that three-inning range now,' interim manager Don Mattingly said Monday morning at Citizens Bank Park. 'He's been pretty efficient. He's been bouncing back pretty good.' Banks, 34, has allowed one run across 2 1/3 innings in his three rehab appearances with the IronPigs. He's walked one batter and struck out eight. In his most recent outing on Friday, the lefty pitched two innings against the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders and gave up one run. Mattingly said that Banks is expected to throw around three innings and 40 pitches for Lehigh Valley on Tuesday night at Coca-Cola Park. With three left-handers already in the bullpen in José Alvarado, Tim Mayza and Brooks Raley, Philadelphia could use Banks as more of a long reliever than an option in the middle or late innings. The club has not had a true long man in the bullpen for most of the season, outside of a couple stints by Alan Rangel. The Phillies could change that for the final weeks of the year if Banks can increase his pitch count comfortably. 'I think you can kind of see how we're building him right now,' Mattingly said, 'is that we look at him as more of a length option to be able to come in, throw multiple innings, do different things like that.' Last season, Banks established himself as a go-to arm in a career year. In 2026, it's been a struggle for the crafty lefty. He had a 7.14 ERA in 28 games before hitting the IL on July 9 and spent some time in the minors due to his ineffectiveness. Barring a setback, he'll need to be activated by Sept. 25, the start of Philadelphia's final series of the regular season. The Phillies would need to make a move to add him back to the 40-man roster, but they can still option him to Triple-A. However, he could have utility in a new, albeit less important role if he rejoins the major-league roster. It sounds like he could be available sooner than later. 'He's getting to the point where he's pretty much ready if needed,' Mattingly said. Injury notes Reliever Caleb Kilian (oblique) played catch in the outfield for the third time on Monday. He's also thrown in the batting cages at the stadium. The right-hander still needs time before stepping on a mound again, as there remains some slight discomfort in his side when throwing. But Monday was the best he's felt since landing on the IL on Aug. 10. Kilian and the Phillies believe there is a chance he could return at some point this year if he continues to progress well. But, of course, the pitcher is up against the clock this late in the season. (oblique) played catch in the outfield for the third time on Monday. He's also thrown in the batting cages at the stadium. The right-hander still needs time before stepping on a mound again, as there remains some slight discomfort in his side when throwing. But Monday was the best he's felt since landing on the IL on Aug. 10. Kilian and the Phillies believe there is a chance he could return at some point this year if he continues to progress well. But, of course, the pitcher is up against the clock this late in the season. Former All-Star Nestor Cortes, who signed a big-league deal with the Phillies on Aug. 19 and is currently on the injured list at Single-A Clearwater, is scheduled to pitch for the Threshers on Tuesday night in the opener of the Florida State League playoffs. It will be the left-hander's first appearance in a game this year at any level.