Castro, Brito sent to minors

TAMPA, Fla. - It was put out there for the taking. Picture a huge classified ad, if you will.

Help Wanted: Phillies in desperate need of relief pitching.

Lefthanders Fabio Castro and Eude Brito answered the ad, but apparently failed the job interview.

Castro allowed 21 hits in 12 2/3 innings this spring and compiled a 9.24 ERA. Brito's numbers were considerably better - three innings, three hits, one earned run - but he got off to a slow start because he entered camp suffering the lingering effects of an offseason car accident.

So before the Phillies boarded the bus yesterday morning to play the Yankees in Tampa, the two were informed that they would be sent to the minor league camp.

"It was simple: We were looking for some guys to step up and take a job," manager Charlie Manuel said. "We didn't see that."

The Phils also reassigned third baseman Brennan King and catcher Dusty Wathan, both nonroster invitees, to minor league camp, while catcher Jason Jaramillo returned to major league camp after being sent to the minors on March 12.

Righthander Joe Bisenius, outfielder Ron Calloway and infielder Brent Abernathy were all told their names wouldn't be included on the Phillies' Opening Day roster next week, although they will be with the team for the weekend series against Boston at Citizens Bank Park.

Thirty-six players remain in camp.

Matt Smith is now the only lefty in the bullpen. Manuel thought Smith threw his best game this spring in yesterday's loss to the Yankees. Smith faced four batters, striking out two, in 1 1/3 innings.

Manuel conceded that with only 20 2/3 innings of major league pitching under his belt, Smith will have to develop quickly as the lone lefty in the 'pen.

With the ranks getting slimmer, the urgency to acquire bullpen help is growing.

Veteran righthander Rudy Seanez might be an option if the Dodgers make him available. The Dodgers are planning to keep only 11 pitchers on their roster, and Seanez, despite his 1.93 ERA in 9 1/3 innings this spring, might be the odd man out.

While Manuel still thinks Castro, can become a solid situational reliever down the line, he seemed visibly disappointed that the lefthander hadn't lived up to offseason expectations.

Manuel said Castro, who pitched in the Dominican Winter League during the offseason, still lacked command on his pitches and needed to develop more consistency.

Manuel also recommended that Brito, who didn't make his first spring appearance until March 18 because of a sore shoulder, improve on his command as well if he wants to pitch in the majors any time soon.

Righthander Zack Segovia started yesterday in place of Freddy Garcia (right biceps tendinitis) in the Phillies' 5-1 loss to the Yankees at Legends Field.

Righthander Zack Segovia started yesterday in place of Freddy Garcia (right biceps tendinitis) in the Phillies' 5-1 loss to the Yankees at Legends Field.

Segovia pitched 4 2/3 innings, allowing five runs (four earned) and three hits.

After Alex Rodriguez tagged him for a three-run homer to left in the first inning, he calmed down and retired 11 consecutive batters. Matt Smith replaced him in the fifth inning after Jorge Posada and Robinson Cano scored.

"I just tried to refocus and start making the pitches instead of thinking about them," Segovia said.

Jimmy Rollins scored the Phillies' only run after Jayson Werth's single in the third inning.

The Phillies host the Reds tonight at Bright House Networks Field. Lefty Jamie Moyer faces Cincinnati righthander Kyle Lohse. *

The Phillies host the Reds tonight at Bright House Networks Field. Lefty Jamie Moyer faces Cincinnati righthander Kyle Lohse. *