The Phillies continued to make some moves to minor league camp on Friday. On Thursday, the Phillies sent pitchers Zach Eflin, Mark Appel, and Jake Thompson to minor league camp. None of those pitchers were really thought of as having a chance to make the Major League squad. But Saturday, the Phillies ended the Opening Day roster hopes for two pitchers who had a chance.
The Phillies announced a couple move moves Saturday for Greg Burke and Gregory Infante:
#Phillies have reassigned RHPs Greg Burke and Gregory Infante to minor league camp.
— Phillies (@Phillies) March 12, 2016
The move is a disappointment for many Phillies fans in South Jersey.
Burke was a standout star at Gloucester Catholic High School before getting drafted by the New York Mets in 2000. Burke has made it to the Major Leagues with two different teams before signing with his hometown Phillies this past offseason. Burke appeared in three Grapefruit League games, earning one win and giving up three earned runs in three and two-thirds innings.
Infante appeared in four games for the Phillies in Grapefruit League action and gave up four earned runs in five innings. Infante made his Major League debut with the Chicago White Sox but has failed to make a big league club since. But, with so many pitchers in camp, Infante was quickly expendable.
The Phillies have yet to give outings to invitees Frank Hermann and Michael Mariot, both of whom signed because they had a chance to make the club. With a clubhouse so large this season that they had to install extra lockers at Bright House Field, they may have simply been asked to wait until they make some cuts. So far, the Phillies are down five pitchers.
