Roster Moves: Phillies trim Spring Training roster, make 3 moves ahead of today’s game against the New York Yankees

We are less than three weeks from MLB Opening Day and the Philadelphia Phillies have begun the process of trimming down their Spring Training roster – announcing three moves this morning ahead of their Grapefruit League game against the New York Yankees. 

RHP Michael Mercado has been optioned to Triple-A Lehigh Valley, while RHP Tyler Phillips and RHP Griff McGarry have been reassigned to Minor League camp.

Roster Moves: Phillies start trimming Spring Training Roster

Prior to today’s game, the Phillies made the following roster moves:

RHP Tyler Phillips and RHP Griff McGarry were reassigned to minor league camp.

RHP Michael Mercado was optioned to Lehigh Valley (AAA).

— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) March 11, 2024

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Tyler Phillips 

Tyler Phillips entered Spring Training with the Phillies as a non-roster invitee and appeared in two games this Spring, allowing four hits and two runs over three innings. 

Michael Mercado

Reliever Michael Mercado, who the Phillies acquired from the Tampa Bay Rays over the winter did impress during Spring Training. He has shown “big league stuff” but like Griff McGarry, has struggled with his command. 

The former second-round pick appeared in five games this Spring with the Phillies, posting a less-than stellar 6.35 ERA and a 1.59 WHIP over just 5.2 innings of work. 

Griff McGarry 

The most notable move here is obviously, Griff McGarry, who entered Spring as the Phillies’ No. 11 overall prospect. His 10 strikeouts to one walk

McGarry started Spring strong, striking out all three batters he faced on just 15 pitches thrown in his debut against the Miami Marlins on March 1st. In his next appearance, McGarry coughed up three runs on three hits while also hitting batter in just 2/3 of an inning. 

In his final appearance over the weekend, McGarry didn’t surrender a run but walked two and struck out one against the Pittsburgh Pirates. 

McGarry – once ranked as high as No. 5 on the Phillies’ prospect list has struggled with his command. Last season, he posted a miserable 5.93 BB/9 in 54.1 in Double-A Reading. At Triple A Lehigh Valley – McGarry posted a memorable 14-walk outing in just 4.1 innings. 

Yikes…

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