Mackanin: Phils' fire apparent on first day

February 17th, 2017

CLEARWATER, Fla. -- The Phillies held their first full-squad workout Friday morning at Carpenter Complex, and if manager Pete Mackanin had a fiery speech for his players at Spectrum Field, he did not indicate it.
"The same old staples," Mackanin said, who enters his second full season as the Phillies' manager. "The same old, work hard, enjoy the fight to where you want to be. Don't be late. Do everything right. Follow the rules and compete. The basic stuff."
If everybody is healthy -- and that is a big if -- there appear to be five jobs up for grabs this spring: three bench positions (catcher, infielder and outfielder) and two bullpen slots.
The Opening Day lineup figures to include catcher , first baseman Tommy Joseph, second baseman , third baseman , shortstop , left fielder , center fielder and right fielder .

Infielder and outfielder have the line on two of the bench positions.
The rotation should be , , , Vince Velasquez and .
Right-handers , , , Pat Neshek and are safe for five bullpen jobs.
"You know what's interesting about this group?" Mackanin said. "I really started seeing it last year, these guys pull for each other. And as far as their attitude is concerned, you can kind of see it in their eyes, they feel like they're going to be a better team this year. They're all eager and working out with a lot of energy, and everybody's in a great mood. The mood has been a little different than it has been [in the past]."
Freddy is OK
Galvis is not playing in the World Baseball Classic because he said he tweaked his groin playing for Venezuela in the Caribbean Series. But he was on the field at Carpenter Complex on Friday.

"Freddy looks good," Mackanin said. "We're just being very cautious with Freddy, but he's healthy and he's going to stay healthy, hopefully for the whole year."
Gomez, who Mackanin said is the team's closer earlier this week, also said he will not be competing in the World Baseball Classic.
New security in Clearwater
The Phillies announced new security measures for Grapefruit League games at Spectrum Field.

Fans will be required to use walk-through metal detectors immediately before their tickets are scanned. The new measures are modeled on the team's security program at Citizens Bank Park.
"The safety of our guests has always been one of the Phillies' top priorities," Phillies director of operations and security Sal DeAngelis said in a statement. "The addition of metal detectors is the next step in advanced security measures at Spectrum Field."
Fans who cannot pass through a metal detector will be checked with a hand-held device. Bags also must not be larger than 16 inches by 16 inches by eight inches.