Phillies make some roster decisions, more coming

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The Phillies' spring training roster continued to shrink a week before opening day.

Pitchers Ivan Nova and Hector Rondon, both of whom were in camp on minor-league deals, were granted their releases on Thursday after they learned they would not make the club.

"I wouldn't be surprised if they each got another job," manager Joe Girardi said. "They got plenty of chances here, so they are ready if another team wants to look at their stuff. They thanked us and we gave them an opportunity.

"It's nice to have these options. We have a lot more (pitching) depth this year and we have to make tough decisions. Usually when you have to make tough decisions in spring training, that's a good thing."

More tough decisions loom. In the bullpen, Brandon Kintzler and Tony Watson, also in camp on minor-league contracts, could learn their fate as soon as Friday. It's likely that both have informed the club that they will opt out if they're not going to make the club.

"They had to let us know Wednesday and we have to respond on Friday," Girardi said.

Of the two, the right-hander Kintzler seems to have the best chance to stick, though nothing is certain. 

The Phils could carry JoJo Romero as a second lefty over Watson, who is slated to earn $3 million if he makes the club. Romero will make the minimum of $570,500 this season and he's already on the 40-man roster.

Adding a pitcher like Kintzler or Watson to the 40-man roster would require taking another player off and possibly losing that player to another organization.

The Phils may have to add outfielders Odubel Herrera and Matt Joyce to the roster. Utility man Ronald Torreyes is also still hanging around and could be a consideration if Brad Miller (oblique) is not ready to go on opening day and Scott Kingery is sent to the minors to continue working on swing adjustments.

Kingery remains in the hunt for the starting center field job along with Herrera and Roman Quinn. Herrera was in center field and Quinn left for Thursday night's game against the Yankees. Kingery played the previous two days. Adam Haseley, recently back from a groin injury, still has an outside shot at the job, though Quinn and Herrera appear to be the frontrunners.

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