Phillies send Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez to minor leagues

CLEARWATER, Fla. - Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez, the highest-ticketed foreign free agent in Phillies history, will start his second-straight season in the minor leagues.

The Phillies signed Gonzalez in August 2013 after he defected from Cuba to a three-year, $12 million contract. The 28-year-old struggled in five appearances this spring. He allowed 12 runs and 25 hits in 14 1/3 innings. Gonzalez allowed four runs and eight hits in his last outing.

He was optioned Sunday morning to triple-A Lehigh Valley along with righthander Hector Neris. Righthander Paul Clemens, catcher Koyie Hill, and infielders Chris McGuiness and Chris Nelson were reassigned to minor-league camp.

He opened last season on the disabled list before starting in May at high-A Clearwater. He reached triple-A Lehigh Valley in August and pitched in six September games for the Phillies. His six major-league appearances came out of the bullpen. He allowed nine hits and four runs in 5 1/3 innings.