The Philadelphia Phillies closed out a frustrating campaign with an early exit from the postseason, falling to the Atlanta Braves in Game 3 of the National League Wild Card Series.
In the days that followed, the organization began clearing space on its roster.
Among the moves was the departure of catcher Payton Henry, who elected free agency after spending the second half of the season in the organization without ever appearing in a major-league game.
The move was reported via Henry’s official transaction log.
Henry, 29, joined the Phillies in late July when they needed depth behind the plate. Rafael Marchán went on the injured list with left knee patellar tendinitis, opening a spot on the 26-man roster.
The club selected Henry’s contract from Triple-A Lehigh Valley and assigned him No. 35. To clear a spot on the 40-man roster, right-hander Brad Keller was shifted to the 60-day injured list.
Henry remained with the big-league club for the remainder of the regular season but did not see action in any games.
His professional path has been circuitous. The Milwaukee Brewers selected him in the sixth round of the 2016 draft.
After several years in the minors, he reached the majors with the Miami Marlins, appearing in 20 games across two seasons.
In those limited opportunities, he hit .186 with eight hits, four RBIs and two runs scored.
Earlier this year, he spent time in the New York Yankees system before the organization released him from his minor-league contract in early July. The Phillies signed him shortly afterward.
The Phillies finished the regular season 88-74 and second in the National League East.
They reached the Wild Card round for the first time since their 2022 World Series appearance, when they lost to the Houston Astros.
With Henry now free to sign elsewhere, the club will continue evaluating its catching depth as it prepares for free agency and potential trades.
Henry, for his part, will look for a new opportunity after a season spent largely on the fringes of two different organizations.
