Building on Friday's announcement of Andrew Painter's roster spot, the Philadelphia Phillies have added center fielder Justin Crawford and utility player Dylan Moore to their 26-man Opening Day roster, leaving a few spots open.
Sources confirmed an ESPN.com report from Saturday that center fielder Justin Crawford, MLB Pipeline's No. 53 overall prospect, has been informed he made the Phillies' Opening Day roster. Utility player Dylan Moore triggered an opt-out clause in his contract on Thursday, prompting the Phillies to place him on the roster within 48 hours, per a source. (See related coverage on Andrew Painter's confirmation and rotation plans.) These moves leave two or three spots open, primarily the backup catcher role between Rafael Marchán and Garrett Stubbs, plus one or two bullpen positions. Right-hander Orion Kerkering's status remains uncertain due to a strained right hamstring that sidelined him most of spring training, potentially limiting bullpen openings to one. Left-hander Kyle Backhus appears to have won a spot with six scoreless Grapefruit League innings, six strikeouts, and one walk. Contenders for remaining bullpen jobs include right-handers Zach McCambley (1.23 ERA, four strikeouts, six walks in 7 1/3 innings), Zach Pop (4.32 ERA, eight strikeouts, two walks in 8 1/3 innings), and Chase Shugart (3.72 ERA, seven strikeouts, seven walks in 9 2/3 innings), as well as left-hander Tim Mayza (5.40 ERA, 10 strikeouts, two walks in 8 1/3 innings), who is not on the 40-man roster.
