Manager Charlie Manuel has his squad pretty much lined up for Opening Day. Tuesday night, after sweeping the mini-On Deck Series against Pittsburgh, the Phillies announced that the 25-man roster is ready to go, and 39 spots on the 40-man roster are filled.
With injuries to Ryan Howard and Chase Utley leaving two All-Stars out of the mix at the start of the season, Manuel will go with rookie Freddy Galvis and Pete Orr to play the middle in-field and Ty Wigginton to man first base on a regular basis. Jim Thome will see some action at first base from time to time as well.
The outfielders will include Juan Pierre, who has earned a spot on the roster with a solid spring regardless of the injury concerns in the infield. Pierre brings a little bit of flexibility to the lineup as well, filing a lead off spot in a productive way when called upon and managing to get on base in any part of the lineup if needed.
The pitching staff will feature the starting rotation of Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee, Vance Worley, Cole Hamels (slated to start the home opener next week), and Joe Blanton. Jonathan Papelbon is the team’s new closer and relievers Kyle Kendrick, David Herndon, Chad Qualls and Mike Stutes are your right-handed options. Antonio Bastardo and Joe Savery will be the lefty options for now.
Hector Luna, Scott Podsednik and lefty Raul Valdes were reasigned to the minors. Howard, Utley, Michael Martinez, Jose Contreras and Justin De Fratus were placed on the disabled list, retroactive to March 26.
Here is the full breakdown of the Phillies’ Opening Day roster, according to Phillies.com:
Pitchers: Right-handers Joe Blanton, Roy Halladay, David Herndon, Kyle Kendrick, Jonathan Papelbon, Chad Qualls, Michael Stutes and Vance Worley, and left-handers Antonio Bastardo, Cole Hamels, Cliff Lee and Joe Savery.
Catchers: Carlos Ruiz and Brian Schneider.
Infielders: Freddy Galvis, Pete Orr, Placido Polanco, Jimmy Rollins, Jim Thome and Ty Wigginton.
Outfielders: John Mayberry Jr., Laynce Nix, Hunter Pence, Juan Pierre and Shane Victorino.
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