CLEARWATER, Fla. -- Andrew Knapp remains in the hunt to be the Phillies' backup catcher.
He went 1-for-2 with a double in Thursday's 4-2 loss to the Twins in a Grapefruit League game at Spectrum Field. Knapp is hitting .138 (4-for-29) with two doubles, one home run, two RBIs, one walk and 13 strikeouts, but his chances remain alive because the Phillies have 40-man roster constraints and the team's other two backup catching candidates -- Ryan Hanigan and John Holaday -- are not on the 40-man roster.
Knapp spoke with Phillies manager Pete Mackanin about his spring on Wednesday.
"He basically said, 'Pete, I know I'm not hitting right now, but I want you to know that I haven't lost confidence in myself and I know I can hit,'" Mackanin said. "I said, 'I know you can, too. So just be aggressive.'"
Knapp has hit .276 with a .770 OPS in four Minor League seasons with the Phillies.
Hanigan has fared well offensively. He is hitting .438 (7-for-16) with one double, two RBIs, six walks and four strikeouts. If he is not on the Major League roster by Tuesday, he must be released upon request or placed on the roster within 48 hours.
Holaday is hitting .167 (3-for-18) with two doubles, one home run, four RBIs, two walks and four strikeouts.
Of course, defense also matters. Mackanin said Knapp has been "very good" defensively.
"I don't dislike what I see," he said. "He's handled himself well and I think he's going to be OK."