Phillies Rule 5 selection Andy Oliver elects free agency; Jeanmar Gomez, Cesar Jimenez make bullpen

The Phillies management made some decisions on their Opening Day roster Saturday afternoon after the team defeated the Pirates 6-4.  Jeanmar Gomez, Andy Oliver, and Cesar Jimenez learned their fates on the bullpen front.  So did catcher Rene Garcia and infielders Cord Phelps and Russ Canzler.  Many questions still remain.

Andy Oliver reportedly was placed on waivers over the weekend.  Oliver must have cleared: the Pirates did not take Oliver back and therefore Oliver declared free agency, reports Mark Narducci.  Oliver struck out a lot of batters but also walked a lot of batters throughout the Spring, and failed to impress the Phillies or the Pirates, who could have taken Oliver back for $25,000.  Oliver made his Major League debut in 2010 with the Detroit Tigers, but has failed to appear in the major leagues since 2011.

Jeanmar Gomez and Cesar Jimenez will break camp with the Phillies.  Jimenez was previously outrighted off of the Phillies roster.  The Phillies gave Jimenez a major league deal and nice pay early in the offseason as a strategy to get Jimenez through waivers.  In his time with the Phillies, Jimenez has been a useful left-handed piece.  The Phillies needed another left-handed pitcher after Mario Hollands learned he would miss time with elbow surgery.

Gomez was a nice surprise for the Phillies this Spring.  In 12 2/3 innings, Gomez surrendered one earned run, for an ERA of 0.71.   Though initially signed as a minor league free agent, Gomez spent 2014 with the Pittsburgh Pirates and has five seasons in the major leagues under his belt.  2014 was Gomez's first season as a reliever, going 2-2 with a 3.14 ERA.

Heading to Lehigh Valley will be infielders Russ Canzler, infielder Cord Phelps, and catcher Rene Garcia.  Neither Phelps or Canzler had much of a chance to make the Phillies' roster, but proved to be useful pieces in camp, as both played multiple positions for the Phillies.  They will be stashed at AAA Lehigh Valley and may get a call later, having made a good impression.  Garcia had only an outside chance at the major league roster, but probably would get a call before Tommy Joseph at this point if the Phillies need a catcher.

The Phillies have until 3:00 p.m. on Sunday to finalize their roster for Monday's opener.  Roster decisions still need to be made on a couple players: outfielder Jeff Francoeur and infielder Andres Blanco.  The Phillies really could use another infielder, and Blanco would certainly be a good option to serve as a backup shortstop, second baseman, and third baseman.   The outfield situation will be interesting.

The Phillies have a roster spot open with Domonic Brown's injury and have Odubel Herrera, Ben Revere, Grady Sizemore, Jordan Danks, and Darin Ruf on the roster.  Should the Phillies with to have a right-handed outfielder that is not Ruf, Francoeur could get a look.  But Brown should not be out long, and the Phillies would have to designate Francouer for assignment and subject him to waivers upon Brown's return.

Danks can be optioned to the minor leagues, so he might make sense to fill in for Brown.   Since the Phillies have so few right-handed bats, Ruf would be a good bat to have on the club.  Even if the Phillies think Ruf is incapable of playing the outfield, having Herrera, Revere, and Sizemore with either Brown or Danks leaves the Phillies little need for a defensive replacement.  

Unfortunately for Ruf, he still had one minor league option year left.  So, the Phillies could choose to keep Francoeur on the major league roster and send Ruf to AAA Lehigh Valley.  Francoeur is only two years older than Ruf, but Francoeur has not hit above .235 in the major leagues since 2011 and hit .227 this Spring.  It just makes sense for Ruf to finally get an opportunity.

The fifth starter is still also up for grabs.  The Phillies could use Sean O'Sullivan until Chad Billingsley is ready to go.   Newest acquisition Dustin McGowan will not be the fifth starter.

The Phillies also just signed pitcher Dustin McGowan, recently released by the Los Angeles Dodgers.  McGowan will be on the big league club as a reliever, reports Todd Zolecki.  Zolecki says the move could either bump Luis Garcia, who pitched really well this Spring, or the Phillies could carry an eighth reliever until they need one.  Hopefully, Ken Giles does not need a disabled list stint for his tight back.

Roster Breakdown:

Infielders:

1. Ryan Howard – 1B
2. Chase Utley – 2B
3. Cody Asche – 3B
4. Freddy Galvis – SS
5. Cesar Hernandez – INF Utility
6. TBD

Outfielders:

1. Ben Revere – LF/CF
2. Odubel Herrera – CF
3. Grady Sizemore – RF
4. Domonic Brown – RF (on DL) – spot filled by one of the below
5. TBD – Darin Ruf, Jeff Francoeur, or Jordan Danks

Catchers:

1. Carlos Ruiz
2. Cameron Rupp

Starters:

1. Cole Hamels – LHP
2. Aaron Harang – RHP
3. David Buchanan – RHP
4. Jerome Williams – LHP
5. TBD – possibly Dustin McGowan

Bullpen:

1. Jonathan Papelbon – CL
2. Jake Diekman – LHP
3. Ken Giles – RHP
4. Justin De Fratus – RHP
5. Cesar Jimenez – LHP
6. Jeanmar Gomez – RHP
7. Luis Garcia – RHP (could be optioned to AAA to make room for McGowan)