CLEARWATER, Fla. - The Phillies cut their best hitter in spring training. They cut bait with a talented kid they considered a top prospect just last year. Freddy Galvis batted eighth.
The Phillies' spring finale is Friday, but the dress rehearsal for the season was Thursday, when the Yankees came to town, because Thursday manager Pete Mackanin offered a preview of his Opening Day lineup, which he expects will be his everyday lineup. Galvis, who hit 20 homers in 2016, bats eighth in that lineup.
Jesmuel Valentin, a 22-year-old revelation who hit .366 this spring, couldn't make the big club.