Phillies sign three international prospects

MIAMI - Tuesday marked the start of the international signing period, when the best teenage prospects in the world can sign with major league teams.

The Phillies signed three 16-year-olds.

The team signed Venezuelan shortstops Arquimedes Gamboa ($900,000) and Daniel Brito ($650,000) and Panamanian lefthanded pitcher Jhon Nunez (at or around $100,000). Gamboa was ranked the eighth-best available international teenage prospect by Baseball America last month.

"We like both the shortstops, a lot," Amaro said. "And we like the lefty a lot, too. We kind of snuck up on the lefthander."

The Phillies have just over $3.2 million to spend during the international signing period, a number configured by Major League Baseball from a bonus pool base on each team's record in 2013.

Mike Adams (right rotator cuff inflammation) was transferred to the 60-day DL on Tuesday. Adams' last appearance was on June 6, meaning he won't be eligible to return until early August. "He was not able to be cleared [to throw] - he's going to be re-evaluated Tuesday to throw," Amaro said. "And if it takes him that long to throw, it's going to take him at least a month to get pitching here" . . . Catcher Wil Nieves (strained right quadriceps) began a rehab assignment with the Gulf Coast League Phillies yesterday. He is eligible to be activated from the DL today.