Phillies release right-handed reliever Stutes

CLEARWATER, Fla. -- The Phillies have released reliever Michael Stutes, the club announced on Wednesday.

Stutes has battled shoulder injuries the past two seasons and was limited to 16 appearances in 2013. The right-hander was outrighted off the 40-man roster on March 11 and had been in Minor League camp.

This spring, the right-hander has allowed seven earned runs on five hits over three innings. He did not strike out a batter and walked three.

Stutes made an impact with the Phillies as a rookie in 2011, winning six games and posting a 3.63 ERA over 57 appearances. His fastball averaged 93 mph that season, but was sitting 88-89 this spring.