As was expected, the Phillies are looking to get back Orion Kerkering for Tuesday night’s showdown with the Giants.

Following the team’s comeback win on Monday night in their opener with the Giants, the team optioned lefty Kyle Backhus to make room on the 26-man roster.

Kerkering made four rehab appearanced and allowed just one run in his four innings pitched. He also recorded five strikeouts.

Backhus may be a bit of a surprising choice for the move given what people though at the time of the original opening day roster announcement – with many thinking Zach Pop or Tim Mayza would be the ones to go with Orion’s return.

Since the start of the season, though, Pop and Backhus have tied with four appearances while Mayza has five (behind only Duran and Alvarado). Pop has allowed just one hit (but three walks) in four innings while Mayza has thrown seven innings to lead the bullpen and has allowed only one hit and a walk. Backhus had given up four hits and a walk in just three innings.

With his option, he’ll still be available for the team to bring him back up later without exposing him to waivers to be claimed by another team.

Things could certainly change between now and then, but the Phillies will be looking at another roster crunch in a couple weeks with their pitchers if Zack Wheeler’s rehab continues to go well.