J.C. Romero rejoins the Phillies

This time, there were no issues when a lefthanded reliever came to Philadelphia for a physical to finalize a contract.

So J.C. Romero is officially back, with the Phillies announcing the one-year, $1.35 million deal Thursday. Romero, who will turn 35 in June, is taking a significant pay cut to return for his fifth season. His deal also includes performance bonuses.

It also could be the final meaningful addition to the Phillies' roster this off-season, meaning that Chad Durbin is likely the odd man out.

Trading Joe Blanton remains a priority. But if the righthander is moved, it will likely be to dump salary and the players coming in return won't be of any significance.

With Romero in the fold, the Phillies' 2011 payroll is at $161.2 million. They have five spots locked up in the 2011 bullpen: Brad Lidge, Ryan Madson, Jose Contreras, Danys Baez and Romero. There is still a need for a middle reliever who can pitch multiple innings, the very role Durbin has filled before. Durbin remains a free agent.

But when asked if the Phillies could still add a free-agent reliever, general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. made it sound as if the team is done signing players.

"We're probably pretty comfortable with where we stand," Amaro said. "I frankly would like to see people battle it out for spots in the bullpen, on the bench, and right field."

A baseball source said the Phillies had made a formal offer to Durbin earlier this off-season and Durbin's side countered. Durbin made $2.125 million in 2010 and is believed to be seeking a raise, one the Phillies may not agree upon.

There also is the factor of having four ace pitchers on a staff that already threw the fewest innings of any National League bullpen in 2010. Middle relief could be de-emphasized should the Phillies' starting pitchers stay healthy and regularly pitch deep into games as expected.

Romero made the decision to take a massive pay cut. He made $4 million in 2010. Shortly after the season ended, the Phillies declined a $4.5 million option for 2011, instead paying him a $250,000 buyout.

The Phillies had found a replacement for Romero earlier in the off-season when they agreed in principle to a one-year, $1.1 million deal with Dennys Reyes. But the two sides could not finalize the contract following Reyes' physical in Philadelphia.

With Romero's addition, the Phillies now have 41 players on the 40-man roster and will make a roster move at a later date to clear space.

Seven invited to camp. The Phillies added seven nonroster players to their spring training roster, including a pair of 24-year-old righthanded pitchers who could compete for a spot in the bullpen.

Michael Schwimer and Michael Stutes pitched their way onto the Phillies' radar in 2010 and each finished at triple-A Lehigh Valley. Schwimer had a 2.85 ERA in 60 minor-league innings and Stutes had a 3.42 ERA in 761/3 innings.

Joining them will be minor-league free agents Brian Bass (righthanded pitcher), Robb Quinlan (infielder), and Delwyn Young (outfielder). Young, 28, spent all last season with the Pittsburgh Pirates and hit .266 with a .707 OPS. He could be a bench candidate with a decent spring.

The Phillies also invited catchers Tuffy Gosewisch and Joel Naughton. Both spent time in big-league camp last season.

These additions bring the total of nonroster players in camp to 19.