Phils ink four to Minors deals with spring invites
Pitchers Camp, Jimenez join outfielders Thomas, Castro as non-roster players
PHILADELPHIA -- The Hot Stove action just started, but Spring Training is only three months away.
The Phillies on Friday announced they had signed four players to Minor League contracts with invitations to Spring Training in Clearwater, Fla., as non-roster players: right-hander Shawn Camp, left-hander Cesar Jimenez, and outfielders Clete Thomas and Leandro Castro.
Camp, 37, went 1-1 with a 7.04 ERA in 26 appearances last season with the Cubs, who released him in July. He signed a Minor League contract with the D-backs, and posted a 2.42 ERA in 22 1/3 innings with Triple-A Reno. Camp has a 4.40 ERA in a 10-year career with the Royals, Rays, Blue Jays and Cubs.
Jimenez, 29, went 1-1 with a 3.71 ERA in 17 innings last season with the Phils. He is pitching in winter ball in Venezuela.
Thomas, 30, hit .214 with four home runs and 13 RBIs in 92 games last season with the Twins. He played all three positions in the outfield. Thomas has played 249 games in his big league career with the Tigers and Twins.
Castro, 24, hit .256 with 23 doubles, one triple, eight homers, 55 RBIs and 20 stolen bases last season with Triple-A Lehigh Valley. He hit .328 against left-handers, and also played all three outfield positions. Castro is playing winter ball in the Dominican Republic.