One of the Phillies' top bullpen arms in their most recent National League East title has lost his roster spot. Reliever Michael Stutes has battled injury the last couple of seasons and apparently has fallen out of favor with the team. Just a few days after being sent to minor league camp, the Phillies have taken Stutes' roster spot away, Todd Zolecki reports:
The Phillies have outrighted RHP Michael Stutes off the 40-man roster.
— Todd Zolecki (@ToddZolecki) March 11, 2014
This means that Stutes cleared waivers and will remain Phillies property.
The move gives the Phillies flexibility on the roster to make a move or add a non-roster invitee from their Spring Training camp to the 40-man roster before the season begins. It seems unlikely that the Phillies would make such a decision right now, with three weeks left of Spring Training. Either the Phillies thought that they could slip Stutes through waivers now while teams are still sorting out their own rosters or they could be looking to make a move.
Stutes has been roughed up during his 2014 Spring, allowing seven earned runs in just three innings of work. Further, Stutes appeared to have little control of his pitches. Stutes suffered bicepts tendinitis in 2013, leading to a disabled list stint for much of the season.
