Phillies Roster Shuffle
Phillies Sign Bryan De La Cruz, Designate Jean Cabrera for Assignment to Adjust 40-Man Roster
The Philadelphia Phillies have signed outfielder Bryan De La Cruz to a one-year major league contract, immediately assigning him to Triple-A Lehigh Valley, according to Herald Sun. To make room on the 40-man roster, the team designated pitcher Jean Cabrera for assignment.
The move keeps De La Cruz in the organization after he triggered an opt-out clause in his minor league deal. The Phillies made the roster change following a 6-1 win over the Kansas City Royals, a result that kept Philadelphia in second place in the National League East, Athlon Sports reported.
De La Cruz Signs Major League Deal, Heads to Triple-A
Bryan De La Cruz had the right to opt out of his minor league contract. He used that clause, which forced the Phillies to act fast. Rather than lose him entirely, the team locked him up with a one-year major league deal, according to Mahoning Matters.
Even with a big-league contract in hand, De La Cruz will start at Triple-A Lehigh Valley. This is a common setup in baseball. It lets a team keep a player on the 40-man roster while giving him regular playing time in the minors. He stays close, ready to be called up if needed, The News Tribune noted.
Jean Cabrera Designated for Assignment to Clear Roster Spot
Every 40-man roster has a hard limit. To add De La Cruz, the Phillies had to remove someone. That someone was Jean Cabrera, who was designated for assignment, Ledger-Enquirer reported. A player designated for assignment has 10 days to be traded, released, or sent to the minors.
Cabrera's designation does not necessarily mean his time with the organization is over. Teams often work out deals to keep designated players in the system. Still, his spot on the protected 40-man roster is gone for now, Island Packet noted.
Phillies Beat Kansas City 6-1, Hold Second Place in NL East
The roster news came after a strong night on the field. Philadelphia beat the Kansas City Royals by a score of 6-1. The win helped the team stay in second place in the National League East, Kentucky.com reported.
Staying in the top half of the NL East matters. The division is competitive, and every win counts toward a playoff spot. A healthy and deep roster gives the Phillies more options as the season moves forward, Charlotte Observer noted.
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