Phillies: Matt Joyce latest add to spring training roster

With the 40-man roster full, difficult decisions are ahead for the Phillies.

The Phillies may still be looking to add players through both major and minor-league deals with spring invites. But, a further difficult decision looms large with each such signing — if said player performs well to make the Opening Day roster.

The Phillies’ 40-man roster is filled, meaning if right-handed reliever Brandon Kintzler and outfielder Matt Joyce perform well in spring training, the Phillies would have to find two players to either designate for assignment or trade to create room.

Just in recent weeks, the Phillies have made moves to their 40-man roster to create spots for J.T. Realmuto, Archie Bradley, Didi Gregorius, and others. All three players then-interim general manager Ned Rice acquired — following Matt Klentak‘s departure as GM and prior to Dave Dombrowski‘s arrival as president of baseball operations — have all been let go. On Wednesday, the Phillies traded right-hander Johan Quezada to the St. Louis Cardinals to create a 40-man roster spot for Gregorius.

Pitchers Neftali Feliz, Ivan Nova, David Paulino, Hector Rondon, and Michael Ynoa; catcher Christian Bethancourt; and infielder Ronald Torreyes and among the other non-roster invitees vying for a 40-man and Opening Day roster spot.

Who are the most likely candidates that the Phillies will consider moving on from on their 40-man roster, should they want to promote any of these non-roster invitees? Perhaps infielder C.J. Chatham, recently acquired from the Boston Red Sox, or even former No. 1 overall pick Mickey Moniak.

Spring training has yet to begin, but it is worth thinking a step ahead at what could be some difficult decisions to Phillies will have to make.