Today was a big cut day for the Phillies.  Aside from giving second baseman Marcus Giles his release, the Phillies sent pitcher Carlos Carrasco and outfielder John Mayberry Jr. to minor league camp.  Although a log shot, Carrasco was in the mix for the Phillies fifth starter and went 2-2 with a 5.95 ERA.  The future is bright for Carrasco, and he’ll begin the season anchoring the Iron Pigs staff at Triple A.  Mayberry started the spring hot, and talk started about him making the team out of camp.  Then Mayberry cooled off some, and began to start swinging for the fences.  Mayberry will also start the season as an Iron Pig and will get to play every day; something he needs at this stage in his career.  Both of these players should be with the Phillies as soon as sometime this season.

The Phillies also informed Pablo Ozuna, Jason Ellison, and Mike Koplove that they didn’t make the 25-man roster, but would accompany the Phillies to Philadelphia for the On Deck Series against the Tampa Bay Rays.  Ozuna had a strong spring, hitting .350 in 23 games, but the Phils really didn’t have a roster spot for him.  Koplove had a strong shot to make the bullpen, but those hopes were squashed when the Phillies acquired Jack Taschner.  All three of these players will report to minor league camp after Saturday afternoon’s final Spring Training game.

This leaves utility player Miguel Cairo as the only non-roster position player still in camp.  The Phillies signed Cairo this past January, and he’s responded with a strong spring, batting .286 with three home runs.  Although the Phillies bench is currently full, there’s still a chance Cairo could make the team.  The Phillies are actively shopping Geoff Jenkins and Matt Stairs, so should one of them be traded by Opening Day, Cairo could assume their spot on the roster.  The other option would be for the Phillies to only carry 11 pitchers until April 20th (when the’ll need a fifth starter).  It will give the Phillies more time to find a taker for Jenkins or Stairs and give Cairo a chance to prove himself on the major league roster.

There’s also no guarantee the Phillies will go with Cairo.  They are actively monitoring the waiver wire for a right handed bat.  While Cairo wouldn’t be a bad fit because of his versatility (he can play 8 positions), they already have a player like that in Eric Bruntlett.  Should the Phillies not opt for Cairo and look elsewhere, expect a player who has a little more pop in his bat.