By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor 
DUNEDIN, Fla. — One week from today, the Philadelphia Phillies (11-15-4) will start the 2017 regular season at Great American Ball Park in Cincinatti.
Emptied lockers and roster cuts are signifying that the end of Grapefruit League play is near.
On Monday, switch-hitter Andrew Knapp earned the backup role to catcher Cameron Rupp, as non-roster invitee catchers Ryan Hanigan and Bryan Holaday were released. Both Hanigan and Holaday played for the Red Sox last season and batted .389.538/.444 (18 at-bats) and .208/.269/.500 (24 at-bats) respectively this spring.
In addition, outfielder Roman Quinn and right-hander Michael Mariot were respectively optioned and reassigned to minor league camp.
Also Read: Phillies manager Pete Mackanin: Switch-pitcher Pat Venditte is 'fun to watch'
As the 25-man roster continues to take shape, one player that has all but locked up his spot in the Phillies starting rotation is RHP Vince Velasquez. He will take the mound Monday evening in opposition of the American League-worst Toronto Blue Jays (10-16-2) and RHP Aaron Sanchez at Florida Auto Exchange Stadium.
Starting Pitching Matchup:
| Philadelphia Phillies (11-15-4) | Toronto Blue Jays (10-16-2) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RHP | Vince Velasquez | RHP | Aaron Sanchez | ||
| (2016: 8-6, 4.12 ERA) | (2016: 15-2, 3.00 ERA) | ||||
Starting Lineups:
| Philadelphia Phillies (11-15-4) | Toronto Blue Jays (10-16-2) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Player | Bats | Position | Player | Bats | ||
| 1 | 2B | Cesar Hernandez | S | 1 | 2B | Devon Travis | R |
| 2 | SS | Freddy Galvis | S | 2 | C | Russell Martin | R |
| 3 | CF | Odubel Herrera | L | 3 | 3B | Josh Donaldson | R |
| 4 | 3B | Maikel Franco | R | 4 | RF | Jose Bautista | R |
| 5 | LF | Howie Kendrick | R | 5 | DH | Kendrys Morales | S |
| 6 | 1B | Tommy Joseph | R | 6 | SS | Troy Tulowitzki | R |
| 7 | C | Cameron Rupp | R | 7 | LF | Steve Pearce | R |
| 8 | RF | Aaron Altherr | R | 8 | 1B | Justin Smoak | S |
| 9 | P | Vince Velasquez | R | 9 | CF | Kevin Pillar | R |
^ non-roster invitee
Broadcast Information:
- First pitch: 6:07 p.m.
- TV: N/A
- Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP
What's Next:
- Tuesday, March 28, 2017: vs. Toronto Blue Jays, 6:35 p.m.
- Spectrum Field (Clearwater)
- RHP Marco Estrada (2016: 9-9, 3.48 ERA) vs. RHP Aaron Nola (2016: 6-9, 4.78 ERA)
- TV: N/A; Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP
