Phillies Send Four To Minors

Some of the tough roster decisions were started this morning as LHPs Jake Diekman and Cesar Jimenez, RHP Justin De Fratus, and INF Josh Fields were reassigned to Minor League camp this morning per Chris Branch. Diekman was the strongest Spring performer out of the four, posting a 5.00 ERA and 14 Ks in 9 IP and according to Ryan Lawrence, Diekman drew “(rave) reviews from teammates

” while being told to focus on off-speed pitches. De Fratus ended his Spring campaign with five straight scoreless outings but will start the year with the IronPigs after posting a 6.43 ERA and 1.429 WHIP. Fields (.208/.269/.333 in 26 PA) and Jimenez (5 Ks, 5 H in 2.2 IP) seemingly never factored into the Phillies’ plans this Spring.

For those keeping score at home Diekman and De Fratus were optioned to Lehigh Valley while Fields and Jiminez were reassigned there as non-roster invitees.

The Phillies now have 35 players left in Big League camp.