Will Venable Acquisition
A day after being released by the Cleveland Indians, 33-year-old Will Venable signed a minor league contract with the Phillies. With three of the five outfield roster spots locked up by Peter Bourjos, Tyler Goeddel, and Odubel Herrera, Venable will join David Lough, Cedric Hunter, and Emmanuel Burriss in the battle for the two remaining spots.
Given that Cody Asche will start the season on the disabled list, the Phillies are in need of a lefty bench bat and all four remaining outfield candidates bat from the left side including the switch-hitting Burriss.