The Philadelphia Phillies thought they had seen the last of Johan Rojas when the league dropped an 80-game suspension for PEDs back in March. But just when it seemed like the worst was behind him, a new report has dropped a bombshell that could effectively end his time in the majors—for good.
According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, Rojas won’t just miss the 2025 season because of the suspension. He’s reportedly dealing with a torn UCL in his elbow—an injury that sources say will sideline him all the way until 2027. That’s right, folks. A full two-year recovery timeline for a guy who hasn’t even played a single game this year.
Insiders close to the Phillies organization tell us the news has sent shockwaves through the clubhouse. Rojas was already facing an uphill battle to reclaim his spot on the roster after testing positive for the anabolic steroid Boldenone in early March. Now, with this injury, rumors are swirling that the 27-year-old’s MLB career may be in serious jeopardy.
A Promising Start, Now a Cautionary Tale
Rojas burst onto the scene in 2023, slashing .302 across 59 games and looking like a key piece of the Phillies’ future. He followed that up with a solid 2024 campaign, appearing in 120 games and flashing enough pop to keep fans optimistic. But in 2025, the wheels started to come off. He hit just .224 with a .280 on-base percentage before being demoted to Triple-A Lehigh Valley in August. Then came the suspension. Now, this injury.
One source close to the Phillies front office, speaking on condition of anonymity, described the situation as a “perfect storm of setbacks” that has left the organization questioning whether Rojas will ever don a Phillies uniform again. “It’s tough to see a guy go through all this,” the source told us. “But at this point, the focus has to be on the guys who are healthy and ready to produce.”
What This Means for the Phillies
The Phillies currently sit 36-31, good for second place in the NL East and holding one of the National League’s Wild Card spots. While the team has managed to stay afloat without Rojas, his absence—compounded by the injury—reportedly has coaching staff reevaluating their depth chart heading into the trade deadline. Some pundits are already speculating that Philadelphia could look to make a deal for an outfield bat to shore up their playoff push.
Rojas was projected to return from suspension at the end of June. Now, with a UCL tear and a recovery that could stretch into 2027, the Phillies will have to move forward without him—and perhaps for good.
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