Phillies Release Bobby Abreu

Bobby Abreu did not make the Phillies' Opening Day roster.  The 40-year-old hit .257 (9-for-35) with nine walks and an .822 OPS in 15 games this spring.  The Phillies signed Abreu this off-season because they were encouraged by his performance in the Venezuelan Winter League and viewed him as a potential left-handed bench bat.

In 50 games during the winter league regular season, Abreu hit 322 with three homers and 28 RBI.

Right now, with Freddy Galvis out til late April, the Phillies have one switch-hitter and one lefty on-the-bench to fill the left-handed role; Cesar Hernandez and Tony Gwynn Jr.

The Phillies gave Abreu a chance to win a job as a left-handed bench bat, and with the American League Texas Rangers up first on the schedule its a minor surprise with all the injury problems that Abreu got released.

Expect the Phillies to search the bargain for a veteran lefty once teams set their 25-man rosters.

Abreu previously played with Philadelphia from 1997-2006.