Phillies Down to Final Couple Decisions After Roster Cuts

The Phillies final roster picture is mostly clear, with several more cuts taking place from major league camp on Saturday morning.  The Phillies settled the catching spot on Thursday, with Rafael Marchan getting the position.  The Phillies are down to a final couple questions after the team announced a number of cuts.

Here is how the roster will be constructed:

Infielders:
Alec Bohm, Trea Turner, Bryson Stott, Bryce Harper, and Edmundo Sosa

Outfielders:
Brandon Marsh, Johan Rojas, Max Kepler, and Nick Castellanos.

Catchers:
J.T. Realmuto, Rafael Marchan

Starting Pitchers:
Zack Wheeler, Aaron Nola, Cristopher Sanchez, Jesus Luzardo

Relievers:
Jordan Romano, Jose Alvarado, Orion Kerkering, Jose Ruiz, Tanner Banks, Joe Ross, Taijuan Walker

The remaining pitching questions are due to injury.

Matt Strahm had a shoulder impingement that the Phillies do not consider serious.  He may or may not be ready for the Opening Day roster; he will pitch in a minor league game and then one of the final Grapefruit League games if all goes well.  If he is not ready, that will open an additional bullpen spot.

Ranger Suarez felt stiffness in his back and did not start on Friday.  The Phillies have yet to rule him out for the Opening Day roster, though that is a question.   The Phillies do not need a fifth starter until April 2.

Should Suarez not be available, Walker will start in his place.  That would leave one more bullpen spot.  Phillies manager Rob Thomson said during Friday's television broadcast that Suarez was feeling much better.

Matt Gelb of the Athletic reports that the Phillies are keeping Michael Mercado and Tyler Phillips in camp just in case they need additional help.

The final roster spot, a bench spot, is still unsettled.

Kody Clemens and Buddy Kennedy remain in major league camp.  Clemens is left-handed, while Kennedy is right-handed.  It is starting to look like a left-handed bat such as Clemens might not be the best fit.

Kennedy is batting .171 with three home runs and seven RBI.  His power has his OPS at .817 in 35 at bats.

Clemens is batting .304 with two home runs and seven RBI.  His OPS stands at .882 after 48 at bats.

Scott Lauber of the Philadelphia Inquirer recently suggested that Clemens could be a trade candidate, while Matt Gelb of The Athletic suggested the Phillies could be looking for a right-handed bat from outside the organization.

Opening Day is Thursday; the Phillies have just a few more days to sort things out.