Phillies trim roster, cut three

CLEARWATER, Fla. -- The Phillies' Opening Day roster continued to crystallize this morning as the Phillies sent three more players to minor league camp, leaving the number of players in major league camp at 37.

The team has until Wednesday, April 4 to pick the 25 players who will start the season when they travel to Pittsburgh to face the Pirates on April 5.

No longer in contention are veteran righthanders Brian Sanches and Scott Elarton, both of whom were assigned to Triple-A Lehigh Valley, where they are expected to provide pitching depth. Joining them there will be up-and-coming left-handed reliever Jake Diekman, who was optioned to the minors.

None of the moves come as a surprise. Diekman was never expected to seriously contend for a spot in the bullpen, but the Phillies were anxious to see him in action against major league hitters this spring. The 25-year-old lefty has thrust himself onto the organization's radar the past couple of seasons with his mid-90's fastball and hard-to-decipher delivery. Diekman did not disappoint this spring, striking out nine batters with one walk in five innings in which he allowed just one unearned run and two hits.

Since the early days of spring, pitching coach Rich Dubee has said that he thinks Diekman still needs to develop his breaking ball, but if the Phillies suffer an injury at the back end of their bullpen, particularly to lefty Antonio Bastardo, Diekman could be in line for an early call-up.

Th Phillies were also pleased with what they saw out of Elarton, who has not pitched in the major leagues since 2008. The 36-year-old veteran finished the spring with a 5.02 ERA in 14 1/3 innings. He should be in the rotation in Lehigh Valley. Sanches, who is coming off two solid seasons with the Marlins, has allowed five runs in seven innings. He will provide veteran bullpen depth to start the season.