Phillies news and rumors 2/8: Shane Victorino reportedly among Spring Training guest instructors, Charlie Manuel to attend

Charlie Manuel will attend Phillies spring training. (Cheryl Pursell)

It looks like Charlie Manuel will accomplish his goal.

In Matt Gelb’s early January feature, over at The Athletic, on Manuel and his stroke recovery, Manuel detailed his goal to attend Phillies Spring Training this year — and to be speaking well enough at that point to do so. According to Todd Zolecki of MLB.com, that goal is coming into fruition: The World Series-winning former skipper will be “roaming around BayCare Ballpark and Carpenter Complex” this spring, as will another Wall of Famer in Larry Bowa. Manuel and Bowa are regulars at Phillies Spring Training in seasons past, including last year.

The Bowa and Manuel news came in Zolecki’s latest newsletter, in which he also revealed three guest instructors headed to Clearwater this spring: Shane Victorino, Mike Lieberthal and Juan Samuel. As Zolecki writes, exact dates and time periods of their instructorship haven’t been announced yet.

Victorino was a guest instructor at Phillies camp in 2019, too. The next year, the Phillies announced six guest instructors, but the numbers came down during the pandemic and in its wake. Samuel was a guest instructor in 2023, and as far as we can tell, it’ll be the first time for Lieberthal, one of the best catchers in franchise history.

Must-read Phillies content

The Phillies claimed a right-hander off waivers on Wednesday, correspondingly designating a minor-league defensive standout for assignment. Phillies Nation‘s Tim Kelly has the details.
Also from Tim Kelly: Appearing on 94 WIP Wednesday, Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski gave measured but honest input on Bryce Harper’s desired contract extension.
And one more from Tim: Dombrowski was also honest about Johan Rojas’ prospects to start in center field for the Phillies on Opening Day.

Former Phillie Nation

“Wolfie” didn’t have to howl too long for work, if you will. Two days after the Detroit Tigers designated him for assignment

, Maton was traded to the upstart Orioles for cash considerations, Baltimore announced on Wednesday. He struggled in his lone year in Detroit, hitting .173 with a .593 OPS in 93 games.