The Phillies added another arm to their organization. It was an arm that they had released just a day before. After informing reliever Edward Mujica that the Phillies would not be on their Major League roster and giving him his unconditional release, the Phillies announced that they were bringing back Mujica on a minor league deal. The Phillies had until Tuesday to assign him to the Major League roster or give him his release.
Mujica pitched pretty well for the Phillies this Spring, going 0-1 with a 2.16 earned run average. But with a 40-man roster and Spring Training camp loaded with potential bullpen pieces, Mujica did not fit. Mujica likely was presented with the option of a minor league deal upon his release and chose to exercise it.
The Phillies bullpen appears to have Brett Oberholtzer, David Hernandez, Jeanmar Gomez, and Dalier Hinjosa decided upon. Remaining in consideration for the final three spots include Rule 5 left-handed pitcher Daniel Stumpf and left-hand pitcher James Russell, as well as right-handed pitchers Andrew Bailey and Ernesto Frieri.
Phillies manager Pete Mackanin hinted that the Phillies could take three left-handed pitchers, meaning that Stumpf and Russell could make the team, leaving room for either Bailey or Frieri. The Phillies must add Frieri to the roster by tomorrow or grant him his release. The Phillies have until May 1 until Bailey has an opt-out, so that could mean Frieri has an edge.
