Phillies Release Mujica, Leaving Bullpen Battle Down To 3

The Phillies on Tuesday announced they released right-handed relief pitcher Edward Mujica, per Matt Gelb of Philly.com.

Gelb further surmises the opening-day bullpen will include David Hernandez, Dalier Hinojosa, Brett Oberholtzer, Jeanmar Gomez, Daniel Stumpf and James Russell. That leaves one opening.

Mujica – who had a 2.45 ERA with five strikeouts and two walks over 7.1 spring innings – figured to be the front-runner for the opening, but the Phillies thought different. Now the battle is between Andrew Bailey, Ernesto Frieri and Hector Neris.