CLEARWATER, Fla. -- In a move that likely finalizes their bullpen for opening day, the Phillies optioned reliever Luis Garcia to Triple A on Thursday morning.
Garcia had been one of three candidates for the final two spots in the bullpen.
It appears those two spots will go to lefties Adam Morgan and Joely Rodriguez.
Garcia was sent to the minors one day after pitching poorly against the Detroit Tigers in Lakeland. He was tagged for five hits and two runs in two innings of work. One of the hits was a double. Garcia needed 45 pitches to get through the two innings. He did not walk a batter and struck out three.
Garcia will likely be the closer at Triple A.
The Phillies are still working to finalize their bench. Daniel Nava and Jesmuel Valentin appear to be the candidates for one remaining job. Andres Blanco, Aaron Altherr, Andrew Knapp and Brock Stassi appear to be locks for bench jobs.
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Official rosters don't have to be filed with the commissioner's office until this weekend. The Phillies have said they'd like to finalize their roster by the time they leave Florida late Friday afternoon.
