Phillies' spring training bullpen battle heats up right out of the gate

Every MLB team deals with multiple open spots on its roster during spring training. A club's bullpen is a position group that frequently has relief pitchers competing for a few open spots that are available at this time of year. The Philadelphia Phillies are one team that has such a competition early on in camp.

Some of the pitchers are off to excellent starts this spring. While there are a few favorites to secure a roster spot in the Phillies' bullpen, the remaining relievers will seek to pitch well in the hope of making another impression to possibly secure a spot on another MLB team before Opening Day.

There's plenty of bullpen competition early in Phillies spring training

Many relievers are competing in spring training for two open spots in the bullpen, including (but not limited to) Kyle Backhus, Zach McCambley, Max Lazar, Zach Pop, Trevor Richards, Tim Mayza, and Génesis Cabrera. Richards, Mayza, and Cabrera are non-roster invitees, while Backhus, McCambley, Lazar, and Pop are on the 40-man roster.

The Phillies acquired the lefty sidearmer Backhus from the Arizona Diamondbacks in December, the same day they traded Matt Strahm to the Kansas City Royals for reliever Jonathan Bowlan. They needed another left-handed option to replace Strahm, and Backhus looks the part early in camp. He has appeared in two games, throwing two shutout innings while allowing just one hit with one strikeout.

Only a couple of spots are up for grabs in the Phillies bullpen. Manager Rob Thomson would likely prefer at least one more left-hander, with José Alvarado and Tanner Banks the only lefties secure in their Opening Day roster spots. Backhus looks like an early favorite to win one of the open spots (subscription required), which would give the club a third lefty reliever to begin the season.

McCambley hasn't fared quite as well as Backhus. After a shutout inning in his first outing, in which he issued a walk while striking out one, he gave up his first run of the spring in his second appearance on a walk and a pair of hits with another strikeout.

A Rule 5 Draft pick, McCambley could be another favorite to begin the regular season with the Phillies. They need to keep him on the 26-man roster otherwise, he has to go through the waiver process and be offered back to his original team, the Miami Marlins. Philadelphia believes that the right-hander can make the Opening Day roster (subscription required).

Lazar has appeared in two games and has also had some struggles. Like McCambley, he pitched a shutout first inning but in his second outing surrendered one run on two hits and two walks and was credited with the blown save.

Pop has allowed one hit and a walk while striking out one in his two shutout innings of work so far. The right-hander is on a one-year deal split contract but doesn't have any minor league options remaining, so he could be dealt before Opening Day if he pitches well but there's no room for him.

Richards has kept a clean sheet in his two appearances, allowing just one hit while striking out two over two shutout innings. Cabrera has also kept the opposition off the scorecard, allowing two hits over his two spring innings. Mayza has allowed a run on two hits in his two innings of work.

The bullpen could be one of the Phillies' strengths if it makes it to Opening Day healthy. As you can see, there's already quite a competition among the relievers battling for the two spots up for grabs during spring training not even a week into games.