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Adam Morgan, Joely Rodriguez win final Phillies bullpen jobs

CLEARWATER, Fla. — Phillies pitching coach Bob McClure walked into the team's weight room on Thursday morning, looking for Adam Morgan. There was news to be delivered and the lefthanded pitcher — unsure of his fate with the team as spring training nears an end — followed his coach to a conference room.

"Oh my gosh. Nothing went through my mind. I could feel the pulse of my head," Morgan said. "You don't feel anything. You're just numb. I got up there, sat down, and they said, 'You're going with us.' I could've cried right there."

The Phillies informed Morgan and Joely Rodriguez that they had earned the final two roles in the bullpen after Luis Garcia was optioned to the minors. The lefthanders complete a seven-man unit that includes righthanders Joaquin Benoit, Jeanmar Gomez, Hector Neris, Pat Neshek, and Edubray Ramos.

Morgan will start the season in the big leagues as a reliever after being crushed last spring when he was one of the final cuts. Morgan, who struggled last season as a starter, transitioned this spring to the bullpen. He gives the team a needed long reliever.

He was told last July that he needed to adjust his approach. The Phillies wanted Morgan to develop a better change-up, locate his slider, and rely more on his secondary pitches early in counts.

The coaching staff reminded Morgan at the start of spring training. The pitcher listened and earned a role. He allowed five earned runs and walked four batters in 18 1/3 innings this spring. Manager Pete Mackanin said Morgan's new approach could lead to a long major-league career.

"It's awesome," Morgan said. "It just goes to show: Keep going. Just keep going. Keep the right foot forward. Whatever comes your way, just tackle it."

Rodriguez reached the majors last September, spending the last month of the season with the Phillies after a strong season in the minors. He allowed four earned runs in 12 spring innings, striking out eight and walking three. Mackanin said Rodriguez's slider is effective enough that the pitcher can be used as a lefthanded specialist if needed. Rodriguez, a 25-year-old from the Dominican Republic, could find himself thrust into high-leverage situations.

"The first thing I did was call my mom and tell her that I made the team," Rodriguez said. "She was really happy because she knows that I work hard and I do everything here to take care of my family."

Extra bases

The Phillies designated Tyler Goeddel for assignment, according to a source, to clear a 40-man roster spot for Brock Stassi. Goeddel, 24, was the first pick in the 2015 Rule 5 draft and spent the entire 2016 season with the Phillies. But he was blocked by better outfield prospects in the system. The Phillies could look to trade Goeddel in the next few days. … The Yankees batted for 33 minutes in the top of the first inning of a 14-1 win over the Phillies. They scored nine runs. There were seven hits, three walks, and two errors. Thirteen Yankees came to the plate. Jerad Eickhoff could not complete an inning in his Grapefruit League finale. He allowed six runs in two-thirds of an inning.