What do you do with your new $75 million pitcher on Opening Day? Send him to the minors, of course. The Phillies set their Opening Day roster on Thursday morning ahead of today's 4:05 p.m. Opening Day matchup against the Braves in Atlanta. The roster is without starter Jake Arrieta, who was optioned to Class-A Clearwater.
The move may just be a paperwork move. Arrieta is not projected to start until Sunday, April 8, when the Phillies take on the Miami Marlins during their opening series at home. With days off on Sunday, April 1 and Friday, April 6, the Phillies had the ability to carry an extra reliever until they need Arrieta. Arrieta, meanwhile, can continue to get ready for the season. Arrieta is behind schedule, since he was signed on March 12, missing almost an entire month of Spring Training.
Arrieta could stay in Clearwater and throw a game Extended Spring Training on April 2 or 3 and be ready to start for the Phillies on March 8. Or, Arrieta could simply remain with the Phillies and throw on the side as the Phillies take on the Mets in New York.
When Arrieta is ready, he will replace someone who begins the season in the Phillies bullpen.
As expected, the Phillies played starter Jerad Eickhoff (lat), Mark Leiter, Jr. (flexor strain) and Tommy Hunter (hamstring) on the 10-day disabled list.
Here is the Opening Day Phillies Roster:
Starting Pitchers (4):
- Aaron Nola
- Nick Pivetta
- Vince Velasquez
- Ben Lively
Bullpen (9):
- Hector Neris
- Victor Arano
- Luis Garcia
- Drew Hutchison
- Pat Neshek
- Jake Thompson
- Edubray Ramos
- Adam Morgan
- Hoby Milner
Infield (5):
- Carlos Santana
- Cesar Hernandez
- Scott Kingery
- J.P. Crawford
- Maikel Franco
Outfield (5):
- Rhys Hoskins
- Odubel Herrera
- Aaron Altherr
- Nick Williams
- Pedro Florimon
Catchers (2):
- Jorge Alfaro
- Andrew Knapp
