Phillies claim RHP Schlitter, designate Carpenter for assignment

The Phillies jettisoned one-time prospect Andrew Carpenter from the 40-man roster, designating the right-handed starter for assignment in order to clear room for another move.

Replacing Carpenter on the roster is righthander Brian Schlitter, claimed off the 40-man roster of the Yankees Tuesday afternoon.

Carpenter has made a brief appearance on the Phillies active roster in each of the past three seasons.

He appeared in one game last season, allowing three runs on five hits with two strikeouts and no walks in three innings of relief against the Cardinals on July 20. His only big league start came in May of 2009, when he allowed five runs on eight hits with four strikeouts and three walks in a 7-5 win over the Nationals. Carpenter pitched 4 1/3 innings and was awarded the victory in the Phillies' rain-shortened win.

Overall, he is 1-1 with a 9.31 ERA in five appearances with eight strikeouts and five walks in 9 2/3 innings.

Carpenter, a second-round pick in 2006, is 45-35 with a 3.71 ERA in five minor league seasons. Last season, he went 8-11 with a 4.05 ERA, 6.9 K/9 and 3.2 BB/9 in 27 starts for Triple-A Lehigh Valley.

Carpenter could still remain in the organization. If the Phillies are unable to trade him and he passes through waivers, the club can outright him off the 40-man roster and assign him to a minor league club.

The 25-year-old Schlitter appeared in seven games for the Cubs last season, allowing 11 earned runs with seven strikeouts and five walks in eight innings.

Schlitter has spent his entire minor league career as a reliever, going 7-13 with a 3.15 ERA, 8.6 K/9 and 4.1 BB/9.

Schlitter began his career in the Phillies organization, but was dealt to the Cubs in the trade that netted Scott Eyre in August of 2008.