Schneider activated; Hoover DFA'ed

As expected, backup catcher Brian Schneider (strained left Achilles) was activated from the 15-day disabled list Monday and will join the Phillies on their trip to New York beginning Tuesday.

To make room for Schneider, catcher Paul Hoover was designated for assignment. The Phillies' 40-man roster stands at 39 players.

Schneider, 33, played in three rehab games for triple-A Lehigh Valley over the weekend. He passed his final test Sunday, catching all nine innings. Before the injury, Schneider was hitting .167 (3 for 18) with no extra-base hits in seven games.

Hoover, 34, filled in admirably for Schneider (and at times, Carlos Ruiz). In six games, he hit .278 (5 for 18), scored six runs and drove in two.

Should the Phillies choose to place Hoover on waivers, which is expected, it's possible he may not make it through. The Washington Nationals placed catcher Ivan Rodriguez on the 15-day disabled list Monday and are in need of a backup catcher. Former Phillie Chris Coste is in triple A with Washington but recently had season-ending Tommy John surgery.

Catcher is a thin position in the Phillies' system. Currently at triple A, Dane Sardinha and John Suomi are sharing the job. Sardinha has played in 31 major-league games over four seasons.