On Wednesday evening Phillies manager Charlie Manuel announced his 25-man Opening Day roster.
Veteran utility infielder Pete Orr took the final spot on the bench beating out Delwyn Young. Young will report to AAA Lehigh Valley.
One of the main reasons Orr made the final roster is due to his ability to play 3rd base. After the Phillies final exhibition game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, Charlie Manuel admitted he was “concerned” about Placido Polanco’s elbow injury.
Orr batted .286 with 5 triples during the Spring. While he does not provide a strong bat off of the bench, Orr is strong defensively and can play multiple position.
In the bullpen Antonio Bastardo and David Herndon took the final two bullpen spots. Bastardo will be the second lefty in the Phillies pen behind veteran JC Romero. Herndon has shown a vastly improved slider this Spring the sinker-baller will look to improve upon his first season in the big leagues. Righty Michael Stutes will begin the season with AAA Lehigh Valley.
2nd baseman Chase Utley, closer Brad Lidge, outfielder Domonic Brown, infielder Brian Bocock, and pitcher Michael Schlitter will begin the season on the disabled list.
Here is the Phillies final 25-man roster:
CF Shane Victorino
3B Placido Polanco
SS Jimmy Rollins
1B Ryan Howard
LF Raul Ibanez
RF Ben Francisco
C Carlos Ruiz
2B Wilson Valdez
OF Ross Gload
C Brian Schneider
OF/1B John Mayberry Jr.
2B/SS/OF Michael Martinez
IF Pete Orr
RHP Roy Halladay
LHP Cliff Lee
RHP Roy Oswalt
LHP Cole Hamels
RHP Joe Blanton
RHP Jose Conteras
RHP Ryan Madson
LHP JC Romero
RHP Danys Baez
RHP Kyle Kendrick
LHP Antonio Bastardo
RHP David Herndon
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