Phillies create flexibility by outrighting Frandsen

CLEARWATER, Fla. — In December, the Phillies signed Kevin Frandsen to a guaranteed one-year, $900,000 contract. It was a sign of faith in Frandsen, who was a valuable bench piece last season for the 73-win Phils, and Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. appeared committed to keeping Frandsen around.

That changed Sunday, as the Phillies announced Frandsen had been outrighted off the 40-man roster and assigned to Triple-A Lehigh Valley. Frandsen has 72 hours to decide whether to accept the assignment and return to the Phillies or elect free agency and forfeit his salary.

"We're in a situation now with many of the injuries that have happened and the things that have occurred this spring to try and create some roster space for us," Amaro said. "That's what we've done."

The move is a roster-motivated one, as the Phillies will need multiple spots on the 40-man roster by Opening Day. Injuries have necessitated that one or multiple non-roster players such as Ronny Cedeno or Reid Brignac will be needed. The Phillies' 40-man roster sits at 37 with Frandsen gone.

Amaro emphasized Frandsen can still make the big-league club out of camp, at which point they would place him back on the 40-man roster. He insisted Sunday's move was purely to create space as Opening Day looms.

"We still think he can be a valuable part of our club," Amaro said. "But he's competing. Just like he was before, he continues to compete for a job on the bench."