By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor 
CLEARWATER, Fla. — The Philadelphia Phillies signed right-hander Drew Hutchison to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training on Thursday, according to The Athletic's Meghan Montemurro.
Hutchison, 27, becomes the eighth non-roster invitee pitcher to big league camp, joining right-handers Pedro Beato, Enyel De Los Santos, Tom Eshelman, J.D. Hammer, Francisco Rodriguez, along with southpaws Cole Irvin and Brandon Leibrandt.
Drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 15th round of the 2009 amateur draft out of Lakeland Senior High School, Hutchison has compiled a career 30-21 record and 4.93 ERA through 74 starts and eight relief appearances. Hutchison won his big-league debut for Toronto in April of 2012 at the age of 21, and became the 40th pitcher in club history to make debut as a starting pitcher.
Hutchison spent the entire 2017 season with the Pittsburgh Pirates' Triple-A affiliate, where in 28 appearances and 26 starts he went 9-9 with a 3.56 ERA and 124-57 strikeout-to-walk ratio spanning 159 1/3 innings. He elected free agency on Oct. 2017, and was also rumored to draw interest from the Baltimore Orioles this offseason to fill spots in their rotation.
The Phillies have rotation questions of their own, and barring an impressive spring showing, Hutchison could very well work his way onto the Opening Day roster as a veteran presence within the rotation. The club has also recently been linked to showing interest in acquiring southpaws Mike Montgomery (Chicago Cubs) and Tony Watson (free agent).
Pitchers and catchers officially began spring training on Wednesday. The full squad is set to report on Monday.
