CLEARWATER, Fla. - The nervous energy that tends to fill major-league clubhouses this time of spring infiltrated the Phillies' locker room Tuesday before a rare night game at Spectrum Field. Chris Coghlan's corner locker was emptied in the afternoon. And, one by one, players on the fringe were summoned to the manager's office.
One of them, Alec Asher, was traded to Baltimore for a player to be named later. Five others were informed they would not break camp with the Phillies. That left three pitchers for two bullpen spots and three batters for two bench spots.
In a spring absent of drama, this qualifies as intriguing for the Phillies because there is still a scenario in which two minor-league players are rewarded for their strong springs.