Kyle

Phillips

He’s likely to receive a spring training invite in order to serve as an extra backstop in camp. Phillips batted just .171/.259/.289 over 85 plate appearances this past season for the Padres and will serve as organizational depth.

The news caught Barajas off guard. “I don’t know why someone would assume that,” he said. “I don’t think I’ve had any issues in the clubhouse, I’ve never said anything negative to pretty much anybody. I enjoy it here, I have fun here.” It would make sense to let Barajas walk this winter, despite his pleading. Young backstop Kyle Phillips, 25, had a nice season at Triple-A, and prospect J.P. Arencibia isn’t far off.

Phillips batted .300/.372/.433 with eight homers and 29 RBI with the 51s this season. With the ability to play first base, third and catcher, the 25-year-old adds some flexibility to Cito Gaston’s bench.

All three are now off the 40-man roster. Phillips, 25, went 5-for-18 with three doubles and two RBI this season as a September call-up while Murphy posted a 3.18 ERA over 11 1/3 innings (eight relief appearances) for the Jays. Romero did not make it to Toronto.

He was cleared to make room for the return of Cameron Maybin. Phillips batted .239 with two homers and eight RBI over 46 at-bats in a little over a month with the big club.

An interesting development for the 27-year-old catcher, but he can still be safely ignored in even very deep NL-only leagues while Nick Hundley heals his injured oblique on the 15-day disabled list.

Hundley has taken batting practice in the cage the last two days. His return will put Kyle Phillips back in the minors.

Phillips made his major league debut with the Blue Jays last season, going 5-for-18 (.278) as a September call-up. The 26-year-old backstop was batting .258/.310/.333 with zero homers and eight RBI in 66 at-bats with Triple-A Las Vegas this season.

Phillips, who can also play some first base, was batting .316/.341/.447 with a pair of homers at Triple-A before his recall. He will see some starts behind the plate while Nick Hundley is out.

After Philips gave San Diego a lead, Heath Bell closed out the Braves in the bottom of the 10th. Phillips hit the homer in his 48th major league at-bat. He was just 4-for-29 this season since coming up to replace the injured Nick Hundley.