Adam Morgan will open the season in the Phillies bullpen (Brandon Apter/Sports Talk Philly)
The Phillies got much closer to finalizing their Opening Day roster Thursday morning. The Phillies formally optioned right-handed reliever Luis Garcia to Triple-A Lehigh Valley. The move means that the Phillies bullpen is now finalized and barring any unforeseen acquisitions, Joely Rodriguez and Adam Morgan will begin the season in the Phillies bullpen.
The right-handed relievers includes returning members Jeanmar Gomez, Hector Neris, and Edubray Ramos and veteran acquisitions Pat Neshak and Joaquin Benoit.
Garcia remains on the 40-man roster for now. The Phillies could make an additional move with Garcia as they make final decisions for the bench. Brock Stassi, Daniel Nava, and Jesmuel Valentin are the last remaining candidates for two open bench spots.
To add Stassi or Nava, the Phillies will have to open a 40-man roster spot.
Garcia was 1-1 with a 5.91 earned run average in eight spring games. Morgan had no decisions, but pitched to a 2.45 earned run average. Rodriguez went 2-0 with a 3.00 earned run average in Grapefruit League play.
