CLEARWATER, Fla. -- With a week to go before they leave Florida, the Phillies made several roster moves on Friday morning.
Outfielder Tyler Goeddel, who spent all of last season in the majors, was optioned to the minor leagues.
Pitcher Jake Thompson, who made 10 starts in the majors for the Phillies last season, was also optioned to the minors. He is expected to open the season in the starting rotation at Triple A Lehigh Valley.
The 23-year-old right-hander was one of five prospects the Phillies acquired from Texas for Cole Hamels in July 2015. He went 11-5 with a 2.50 ERA in 21 starts at Triple A last season and 3-6 with a 5.70 ERA with the big club.
Thompson could be one of the first to return to the majors if a need arises in the starting rotation.
Goeddel, 24, joined the Phillies' organization in December 2015 after being selected in the Rule 5 draft. He had originally been a first-round draft pick of the Tampa Bay Rays in 2011.
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Players selected in the Rule 5 draft must spend and entire season in the majors or be exposed to waivers and offered back to their original club. The Phillies kept Goeddel all of last season, but he received only 213 at-bats and hit just .192 with four homers in 16 at-bats.
The additions of outfielders Howie Kendrick and Michael Saunders made Goeddel a long shot to make the team coming into camp.
Goeddel needs to recoup some at-bats in the minor leagues. The question is: where? The Phillies have three top outfielder prospects -- Roman Quinn, Nick Williams and Dylan Cozens -- who will require regular playing time at Triple A. It's possible that Goeddel could open the season at Double A.
The Phils also sent pitcher Dalier Hinojosa, catcher Logan Moore and infielder Hector Gomez to minor-league camp.
