Dusty Wathan stepped into the manager’s seat at PNC Park on Saturday while Don Mattingly attended his son Trevor’s graduation. The Phillies, chasing a .500 record for the first time in over a month, faced the Pirates with Wathan swapping lineup cards and becoming the latest father‑son duo to manage in the majors. He emphasized the players above all else.

Coming off a dramatic 11‑9, 10‑inning comeback win, Philadelphia has gone 13-4 under Mattingly’s leadership. Wathan, a former catcher with more than 900 minor‑league games and a brief 2002 MLB stint, has been a third‑base coach since 2017 and managed the Double‑A Reading club to a franchise‑record win total. He relished the bench role but admits his eyesight at 52 limits his former warming‑up duties.

Mattingly’s one‑day absence gave Wathan a chance to prove he can steer a struggling club back toward contention. With the Phillies perched just above .500, every win tightens the NL East race and eases pressure on the new coaching staff. Wathan will return to third base Sunday, leaving the bench to Mattingly as the team chases the next victory.