Catcher Andrew Knapp was among 11 added to the Phillies 40-man roster (Frank Klose/Sports Talk Philly)
With a large number of prospects in the minor leagues gaining experience, the Phillies were forced to add a large number of them to their 40-man roster in order to protect them from the Rule 5 draft. The Phillies on Friday afternoon in advance of the deadline to do so prior to the Rule 5 draft added 11 players. Two were designated for assignment in order to make room.
The following players were added to the 40-man roster:
- RHP Drew Anderson
- RHP Mark Appel
- OF Dylan Cozens
- LHP Elniery Garcia
- C Andrew Knapp
- LHP Ben Lively
- RHP Ricardo Pinto
- RHP Nick Pivetta
- RHP Alberto Tirado
- 2B Jesmuel Valentin
- OF Nick Williams
Earlier, the Marlins claimed left-handed pitcher Elvis Araujo. Besides the subtraction of Araujo, the Phillies designated two players for assignment:
- RHP David Buchanan
- RHP Jimmy Cordero
Buchanan failed to make the big club in 2016, despite occupying a roster spot the entire season. The flame throwing Cordero suffered an injury in Spring Training and may be a good candidate to slip through waivers.
The moves mean that the 40-man roster is completely full. Should the Phillies take a player in the Rule 5 draft, they will have to designate another player for assignment.
