Spring training is almost over, thankfully, with the regular season just days away from getting started. The Philadelphia Phillies have a game on Sunday and a game on Monday before they pack up camp to head North.
They've gradually been cutting players from their major league camp roster, and the latest roster cut on Sunday answers one question, but still leaves a couple of others that Phillies fans will be wondering about.
The team announced that right-hander Michael Mercado had been optioned to Triple-A Lehigh Valley. The 25-year-old survived the team's roster cuts on Saturday but will now officially begin the season in the minors. Mercado appeared in seven Grapefruit League games, posting a 7.04 ERA and 1.30 WHIP with eight strikeouts and five walks in 7 2/3 innings.
Phillies roster cut sees Mercado optioned, questions remain about Ranger Suárez's status and the final bench spot
The move to option Mercado answers one question of who will slide into the bullpen if lefty Ranger Suárez isn't ready for Opening Day due to a back issue that slowed him down this week. Tyler Phillips is the last remaining option for the Phillies to put in the bullpen if Taijuan Walker has to move into the starting rotation to begin the season. The good news is that the Phillies' other ailing left-hander, Matt Strahm, appears to be on the right track for Opening Day, per Lochlahn March of The Philadelphia Inquirer — phew!
The questions that still loom concern the rotation, specifically Suárez's status, and the final bench spot. Things sounded encouraging for Suárez after he threw on Saturday, but the Phillies won't know for sure likely until Monday.
The last bench spot has come down to a battle between Kody Clemens and Buddy Kennedy, both of who are out of minor league options and avoided being cut before the Phillies' game on Sunday. Clemens appears to have the edge, despite being a left-handed bat, after putting together a red-hot spring. Heading into Sunday's action, the 28-year-old infielder/outfielder was slashing .314/.364/.510 with two home runs, seven RBI and nine runs scored in 55 plate appearances.
Kennedy, in sharp contrast, hasn't had the spring he would have liked. The 26-year-old is slashing .162/.347/.432 with three home runs, seven RBI and eight runs scored. He's a right-handed hitter and has walked (10) almost as many times as he has struck out (11) in his 49 plate appearances.
The Phillies' final Opening Day roster decisions could come down Sunday following their game against the Detroit Tigers or on Monday, and we'll finally have our questions answered.
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