Final Roster Spot Goes to Clemens; Kennedy Misses Out

The Phillies finalized their roster as the club prepares to head back to Philadelphia.  Taking off from the Tampa airport later this afternoon, it will be Kody Clemens who takes the flight to Philadelphia.  Therefore, Millville native Buddy Kennedy will not make the roster.

Phillies President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowski addressed reporters in Clearwater, Florida including Todd Zolecki of MLB.com today.

Dombrowski said that the Phillies would attempt to find a trade partner for Kennedy before rosters are set Thursday at noon.  If they cannot find a trade partner, the Phillies will have to designate his contract for assignment.

Both Clemens and Kennedy are out of minor league options.

Should Kennedy go unclaimed, it is possible he could remain in the Phillies organization.  However, he is free to pursue another opportunity elsewhere should Kennedy reject an outright assignment to Triple-A.

While it is true that Clemens is left-handed on a roster with many left-handed hitters in the lineup (Kyle Schwarber, Bryce Harper, Bryson Stott, Max Kepler, Brandon Marsh), Clemens is the lone left-handed bat on the bench.  Edmundo Sosa is right-handed, Johan Rojas is right-handed, and switch-hitting catcher Rafael Marchan would not be a pinch-hitting option as the backup backstop.

Dombrowski also remarked that the injury to starter Ranger Suarez would not keep him off of the roster too long.