Phillies Spring Training Notes: ‘Open Competition,’ Eickhoff, New Cap

By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor

The 2019 Philadelphia Phillies spring training camp is well underway, ahead of the first full-squad workout set for Monday. "Open competition," injuries, former players signing elsewhere and a new spring training cap were among the stories from the first week of camp.

"Open Competition"

The Phillies have an excess of outfielders and infielders vying for starting roles, with just three open spots: third base, center field and right field. Scott Kingery and Maikel Franco will be in "open competition" for the hot corner, while Odubel Herrera, Roman Quinn, Nick Williams, and Aaron Altherr will compete for the outfield to complement Andrew McCutchen in left. Phillies manager Gabe Kapler said Herrera can win the center field job by "performing the way he did to start 2018."

Of course, everything changes if the Phillies sign Bryce Harper and/or Manny Machado.

Injuries to Starting Pitchers

The Phillies currently have eight starting pitchers listed on their depth chart: Aaron Nola, Jake Arrieta, Nick Pivetta, Zach Eflin, Vince Velasquez, Jerad Eickhoff, Enyel De Los Santos, and Ranger Suarez.

Following Nola, Arrieta and Pivetta, five pitchers would be left to battle for two spots, barring any additional signings or acquisitions. The Phillies would have hoped for Eickhoff, 28, to be healthy enough to battle this spring, however that appears to be anything but the case. The right-hander experienced recurring symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome last month, a condition he underwent surgery for in October. Eickhoff will throw a bullpen session next week. The Evansville, Indiana, native has made just three appearances since August 30, 2017, due to various injuries.

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Arrieta, meanwhile, is on the mend after a minor procedure to clean out a meniscus tear, of which he reportedly suffered mid-season last June. Kapler said that he and the coaches' room all "strongly believe" that Arrieta has made delivery and mechanics changes that have "already paid dividends" in his bullpen sessions this spring training.

Former Phillies Update

• Alec Asher, 27, signed a minor-league contract with the Colorado Rockies. The Phillies acquired Asher in July 2015 from the Texas Rangers in the Cole Hamels trade. Asher went 2-7 with a 5.88 ERA over 12 starts with the Phillies from 2015-16. The right-hander has since pitched for the Baltimore Orioles (2017) and Milwaukee Brewers (2018).
• Tyler Cloyd, 31, signed with the Tampa Bay Rays to a minor-league deal with a spring training invite. Cloyd made 19 appearances and 17 starts with the Phillies in 2012-13, going 4-9 with a 5.98 ERA. The right-hander returned to the majors in 2017, after an overseas stint, with the Seattle Mariners. Last season with the Miami Marlins, Cloyd posted an 8.66 ERA spanning seven relief appearances.
• Jake Diekman, 32, signed a $2.75 million deal with an option for 2020 with the Kansas City Royals. The southpaw recorded 225 strikeouts over 173 1/3 innings with the Phillies from 2012-15, before he was dealt with Hamels to the Texas Rangers. Diekman made 24 appearances with the Arizona Diamondbacks last season, allowing 15 runs (12 earned) over 14 1/3 frames.
• A.J. Ellis, 37, joined the San Diego Padres organization as a special assistant to baseball operations. Ellis was acquired from the Los Angeles Dodgers in August 2016 as part of the trade involving 2008 World Series champion Carlos Ruiz. In 11 games to conclude that season with the Phillies, Ellis slashed .313/.371/.500 with three doubles, one home run, nine RBI, three walks and seven strikeouts over 35 plate appearances. Ellis finished his 11-year playing career with the Padres in 2018 (66 games, .272/.378/.344).
• Jeremy Hellickson, 31, signed a one-year deal with the Washington Nationals worth $1.3 million. The right-hander went 18-15 with a 4.09 ERA over 52 starts with the Phillies, in parts of two seasons, before he was dealt to the Baltimore Orioles in July 2017. The nine-year veteran made 19 starts with the Phillies' division rival last season, going 5-3 with a 3.45 ERA.
• Will Middlebrooks, 30, recently tweeted the below message, weeks after his early January retirement announcement. Middlebrooks sustained a fractured left fibula just days into spring training action as a non-roster invitee with the Phillies in 2018. Hitting Coach John Mallee tweeted: "Not only myself but all the people you played with or were coached by will miss you @middlebrooks You will be back in pro ball soon but on the other side. Same book / new chapter."

• Adam Rosales, 35, signed a minor-league deal with a spring training invite with the Minnesota Twins. Rosales will earn $1 million in the majors with $250,000 in incentives, according to Bob Nightengale. He has a March 19 opt out. The 11-year veteran was in Phillies spring training camp last season as a non-roster invitee.

Phillies' New Spring Cap

The Phillies' spring training and batting practice caps this spring will featured the redesigned bell featured in their new primary logo. Their green St. Patrick's Day cap for March 17 has a similar design.