Phillies Set Final Roster To Begin 2014

The Phillies finalized their active roster today as they get set to head to Arlington, Texas to take on the Texas Rangers.  There are a few highlights:

• Cesar Hernandez and Jayson Nix will be the backup infielders.  Nix was acquired yesterday and can play shortstop in Jimmy Rollins' absence.  Rollins is expected to take a paternity leave within the first week of April or so.  Reid Brignac was assigned to AAA Lehigh Valley.
• Mario Hollands makes the roster after a strong spring.  Almost flying under the radar, Hollands compiled a 3.09 ERA this Spring.   He beat out Phillippe Aumont, who was optioned to the minors yesterday.   Hollands probably will be the first reliever to go should the Phillies activate Mike Adams or Jonathan Pettibone in upcoming weeks.
• Tony Gwynn Jr. has made the club.   Gywnn impressed the Phillies this Spring with solid defense in center field, a decent bat, and demonstrating that he had speed to steal some bases.   Gywnn did not appear in the majors in 2013.
• Jeff Manship earned a spot on the Phililes staff.  It is unclear, however, if the Phillies will start him.  Manship could pitch in relief and the Phillies could use Jonathan Pettibone as a starter, when they need one.  They may decide based on how Pettibone performs at AAA.
• Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez will open the year on the 60-day disabled list.  Gonzalez has not pitched since March 7.
• On the 15-day disabled list:  Mike Adams, Cole Hamels, Ethan Martin, Darin Ruf, and Freddy Galvis.  
• Though previously injured, Jonathan Pettibone is not on the disabled list, but instead was optioned to AAA Lehigh Valley.   This could be a sign the Phillies will start him twice in Lehigh Valley and use him as a starter when the Phillies need a fifth starter.

Here is your 25-man roster, courtesy of Todd Zolecki:

Starting Pitchers:

1. Cliff Lee
2. A.J. Burnett
   
3. Kyle Kendrick
4. Roberto Hernandez
5. Jeff Manship/TBD

Relief Pitchers:

1. Jonathan Papelbon
2. Jake Diekman
3. Brad Lincoln
4. Antonio Bastardo
5. Justin De Fratus
6. Mario Hollands
7. B.J. Rosenberg

Infielders:

1. Ryan Howard
2. Jimmy Rollins
3. Chase Utley
4. Cody Asche
5. Cesar Hernandez
6. Jayson Nix

Outfielders:

1. Marlon Byrd
2. Ben Revere
3. Domonic Brown
4. John Mayberry Jr.
5. Tony Gwynn Jr.

Catchers:

1. Carlos Ruiz
2. Wil Nieves