CLEARWATER, Fla. -- The Phillies’ Opening Day roster is coming into focus.
Manager Rob Thomson said on Friday that right-hander Andrew Painter made the team. No surprise there. Painter (MLB Pipeline's No. 28 overall prospect) was a near lock to make the 26-man roster entering camp. He will make his MLB debut on March 31 against the Nationals at Citizens Bank Park.
A source confirmed an ESPN.com report on Saturday that center fielder Justin Crawford (No. 53 prospect) has been told he’s made the team. Again, no surprise there. Crawford might’ve had a greater chance at making the team than Painter.
Utility player Dylan Moore will also make the team, according to a source. Moore triggered an opt-out clause in his contract on Thursday. The Phillies had 48 hours to place him on the roster.
It should leave just two or three jobs available: The backup catcher spot (Rafael Marchán or Garrett Stubbs) and a bullpen job or two. If right-hander Orion Kerkering is healthy -- he has missed most of the spring because of a strained right hamstring -- there might be just one bullpen job available.
That’s because left-hander Kyle Backhus likely has secured a job based on a strong spring. He has pitched six scoreless Grapefruit League innings, striking out six and walking one.
The eighth bullpen job could come down to three right-handers on the 40-man roster, or left-hander Tim Mayza, who is not on the 40-man. Zach McCambley, Zach Pop and Chase Shugart are on the 40-man roster. Pop is out of Minor League options, which will be a consideration. McCambley is a Rule 5 Draft pick. He would need to stay on the active roster the entire season to remain in the organization. Shugart has options.
McCambley has a 1.23 ERA, four strikeouts and six walks in 7 1/3 innings. Pop has a 4.32 ERA, eight strikeouts and two walks in 8 1/3 innings. Shugart has a 3.72 ERA, seven strikeouts and seven walks in 9 2/3 innings. Mayza has a 5.40 ERA, 10 strikeouts and two walks in 8 1/3 innings.