Harrison Released; Roster Takes Shape

2020 Chachi Almost #8

Camp Head Count:  44 - 5 = 39.  In a somewhat surprising move, infielder Josh Harrison requested and was granted his release yesterday.  Harrison seemed a lock for the opening day 30-man roster, so I'm assuming he either has a better shot at more playing time elsewhere or the recent white hot bat of Phil Gosselin made his chances of making the team more tenuous.  In any event, he joins the suddenly growing checklist of the 2020 Chachi Almost insert set.

Also removed from the roster on Tuesday and optioned to the Phillies Alternate Training Site or the Lehigh Valley Satellite Camp, depending on your preference, were Spencer Howard (rhp), Mauricio Llovera (rhp) and Addison Russ (rhp), along with Logan O'Hoppe (c).  Howard will most likely make his big league debut at some point this season but for now he'll train at the IronPigs' ballpark in Allentown with the rest of the Phillies' taxi squad.