Phillies DFA Oberholtzer, evaluate other relievers for place in future

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SAN DIEGO – Jake Thompson’s arrival on the Phillies' pitching staff was Brett Oberholtzer’s exit.
 
Oberholtzer was designated for assignment Saturday afternoon as the team cleared a roster spot for Thompson, who made his big-league debut against the Padres that night.
 
Oberholtzer, a 27-year-old lefty who worked as a long man out of the bullpen, joined the Phillies in December as part of the trade that sent Ken Giles to Houston. He had a 4.83 ERA in 26 games and had recently racked up four straight scoreless outings.
 
The decision to subtract Oberholtzer left the Phillies without a left-hander on their pitching staff, but this move had little to do with the present. The Phillies are into the final two months of the season and have a number offseason roster decisions to make. This is evaluation time for a number of relievers.
 
“Oberholtzer pitched pretty well lately, but overall there are other people that need to be seen to make a decision on them to see whether they fit (into the future),” manager Pete Mackanin said. “That’s what this year is about.
 
“We have a lot of decisions to make this winter and you can’t make them if those guys don’t have an opportunity to succeed or fail.”
 
That means the Phillies want to see more of relievers Severino Gonzalez, Michael Mariot and Luis Garcia over the final weeks of the season. All have been recent additions to the ‘pen.

The talent in the Phillies’ system has improved to the point where 40-man roster spots could be at a premium when the Phils have to set theirs in the fall. This is why it’s not a given that top prospect J.P. Crawford will receive a September call-up. The Phils are not required to protect him on their 40-man roster this fall. If he comes up in September, he would have to go on the 40-man roster and the team could risk losing a prospect in the Rule 5 draft. Regardless of whether Crawford comes up in September or not, he will still be in big-league spring training camp in February and would have a chance to make the big club.
 
Outfielder Nick Williams does have to be protected on the 40-man roster this fall. That makes him likely to come up in September. Catcher Jorge Alfaro and outfielder Roman Quinn are already on the 40-man roster. Don’t rule them out as possibilities to get a look in September.

Oberholtzer could end up in the minors with the Phillies if he is not claimed on waivers by another club.

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