Phillies Send Thompson, Goeddel to Minors

As the Phillies wind down 2017 Grapefruit League action, the club made a few moves on Friday.   Two players that made substantial contributions to the 2016 Phillies big league roster will head to the minor leagues.  The Phillies announced that outfielder Tyler Goeddel and pitcher Jake Thompson have been optioned to the minor leagues.

Thompson will head to Triple-A Lehigh Valley, where he will anchor a rotation that will also include the likes of Zach Eflin, Ben Lively, Mark Appel, Alec Asher and Nick Pivetta.  One of the players on this list could head to Double-A Reading to remain a starting pitcher.  The same reasoning made things difficult for Goddel, who is being sent to Reading.

The Triple-A outfield includes starters Nick Williams, Roman Quinn and Dylan Cozens.  Cam Perkins will also be with the IronPigs, making playing time scarce for someone like Goeddel.  Therefore, Goeddel has to go to Double-A in order to have consistent playing time, while likely being the first call to Triple-A if there is an opening down the line.

The aforementioned Eflin has yet to appear in a Grapefruit League game and could start the season on the disabled list.

The Phillies also moved minor league non-roster invitees Dalier Hinojosa, Hector Gomez and Logan Moore to minor league camp.  Hinojosa was competing for a spot in the bullpen, Gomez a spot as a utility infielder, and Moore a job as a backup catcher.   Moore could back up Jorge Alfaro at Triple-A Lehigh Valley.