Phillies add two from minors ahead of weekend series in San Francisco

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SAN FRANCISCO — With September arriving and active rosters expanding from 26 to 28, the Phillies on Thursday recalled catcher Donny Sands from Triple A and selected the contract of right-handed pitcher Vinny Nittoli. Both players will be in uniform when the Phillies open a three-game weekend series with the San Francisco Giants on Friday night.

Sands was acquired from the Yankees in a minor-league trade last winter. He hit .309 in 57 games at Lehigh Valley this season.

Nittoli was acquired from Toronto in a minor-league deal Wednesday.

With Sands on board, the Phillies have three catchers. That flexibility will allow manager Rob Thomson to use backup catcher Garrett Stubbs off the bench as a pinch-hitter, pinch-runner and even an extra outfielder.

Nittoli will work out of the bullpen.

Active rosters are capped at 28 for the remainder of the season, though teams can still option players out and add players who are on the 40-man roster from the minors. Infielder/outfielder Yairo Munoz, designated hitter Darick Hall and others could still be in play to join the big club as the month progresses.

Teams are limited to 14 pitchers through the remainder of the regular season.

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