Philadelphia’s ideal 2026 rotation fantasy gets a major spark as a standout Japanese ace emerges as the centerpiece. DD
The Phillies can compete for the best rotation in baseball again in 2026.
The Philadelphia Phillies are reassessing things after a disappointing postseason fallout. They had plenty of positive things blossom during the regular season but also had their fair share of scuffles. One thing that gave little heartache night in and night out was the starting rotation. The rotation, on paper, was supposed to be elite heading into 2025, and even with numerous trials and tribulations, it delivered.
Ace Zack Wheeler missed the last couple of months due to a blood clot and thoracic outlet decompression surgery, which hurt the Phillies chances down the stretch. He’s expected to come back next season, so one of the best rotations in baseball should remain intact for 2026.
With their embarrassment of riches on the mound, the Phillies will lean on fielding a strong rotation once again.
However, no pitching staff is perfect, so the Phillies will still look to add to the current rotation this offseason. What that looks like is anyone’s guess. But with the team’s interest in adding a Japanese import, Tatsuya Imai is reportedly on the radar. Here’s what the starting rotation could look like if they bring the NPB star aboard.
Dream starting rotation for 2026 season if Phillies sign Tatsuya Imai from Japan
No. 1: Zack Wheeler
Wheeler will remain the ace of the staff when he comes back from injury, whenever that is. He could be eyeing a return by the end of May, or possibly earlier. The Phillies hope he’s himself when he returns to the mound. In 2024, Wheeler finished second in the NL Cy Young race for the second time in his career. He had another strong season in 2025, finishing with a 2.71 ERA and 195 strikeouts in 149 2/3 innings.
During his tenure with the Phillies, how Wheeler goes, the team goes. When he’s healthy, few starters in baseball are as good. He’ll be 36 next season, but the expectation now, as it’s always been, is that he’ll be the horse of the rotation.
No. 2: Cristopher Sánchez
Cristopher Sánchez will remain the top arm for the time being with Wheeler most likely missing the start of the season. The left-hander, who will be 29 next season, is certainly not the worst starter to have as a temporary No. 1. Sánchez is a safe bet to take the ball on Opening Day and will form a terrifying 1-2 punch with Wheeler when the ace returns.
Sánchez completed his transformation into an ace and a franchise’s dream this season. He finished second in the NL Cy Young voting this year after putting up a 13-5 record with a 2.50 ERA and 212 strikeouts in 202 innings across 32 starts.
No. 3: Jesús Luzardo
Left-hander Jesús Luzardo was a question mark when the Phillies traded for him last winter, given his limited track record due to injuries. Outside a couple of massive blow-up outings mid-season, caused by pitch-tipping, he was really effective for the Phillies. He should easily slot in as the No. 3 on the starting staff in 2026.
Luzardo stayed healthy and made 32 starts. He posted a 15-7 record with a 3.92 ERA and 1.22 WHIP with a career high in strikeouts (216), innings (183 2/3), and fWAR (5.3). He recently turned 28, so he’ll still be in his prime as he heads into a contract year.
No. 4: Aaron Nola
The biggest question by far will be 11-year veteran Aaron Nola. The previously healthy right-hander hit the injured list for half of the season and struggled to secure outs for much of the time when he was on the mound. He went 5-10 in 17 starts, with a 6.01 ERA and 1.35 WHIP in just 94 1/3 innings.
However, Nola looked better at the end of the season and in his brief postseason cameo. The hope is that he can come into next season completely healthy and work his way back into being a workhorse for the rotation. Before this year, the fewest innings Nola had thrown in a non-shortened season since 2018 was 180 2/3 in 2021. He eclipsed 190 frames in the other five years and threw 205 as recently as 2022.
No. 5: Tatsuya Imai
With the continuous push into the Japanese market, the Phillies have a close eye on Tatsuya Imai, a 27-year-old right-hander from the NPB. Imai, who’s played nine seasons for the Seibu Lions, was officially posted Nov. 18. The posting opens his 45-day signing period, giving him until Jan. 2 to sign as a free agent with any MLB club.
The Phillies could add a lot to the already dominant pitching staff with Imai. They already wreak havoc on the sport, so he would be a finishing touch. He had a 1.92 ERA across 163 2/3 innings in 2025 and boasts a fastball that sits mid-90s but can reach 99 mph. Not bad for a back end of the rotation arm.
Imai’s addition would force the Phillies to use a six-man rotation, however, as Japanese starters are used to a once-a-week workload. That might not be such a bad thing with Wheeler returning from surgery and being able to keep everyone fresh with eyes on October.
No. 6: Andrew Painter
Expectations were that top pitching prospect Andrew Painter was going to debut this season, but he struggled in Triple-A Lehigh Valley and never earned the promotion. In his first season back from Tommy John surgery, the 22-year-old right-hander posted a 5.40 ERA in 26 starts for the IronPigs.
Painter is still the Phillies’ No. 1 MLB Pipeline prospect and they intend to give him a runway in 2026. He could benefit from a six-man rotation to help manage his innings, as he threw 118 this year. There’s no guarantee how the former first-round pick will fare if he earns his MLB debut, so the Phillies will have veteran Taijuan Walker in their back pocket as emergency rotation insurance.
