Phils lose Cloyd, Valdes on waiver claims

The Phillies began the process of cleansing their 40-man roster Wednesday when pitchers Tyler Cloyd and Raul Valdes were claimed on waivers by other teams.

Cleveland acquired Cloyd, while Houston claimed Valdes.

Cloyd, who was named by the Phillies as their top minor-league pitcher in 2012, posted a 6.36 ERA in 13 games (11 starts) this season. He is 26.

Valdes, 35, was not recalled in September, which sealed his fate. This season, he had a 7.46 ERA in 35 innings.

"We have to clean up our roster," general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said last week. "We have some guys who will not be on our roster shortly after the season. We have some guys who were place-holders in some regards. We have to clean up our roster and make some decisions about who may be helping us in 2014 and beyond."

Cloyd and Valdes were the first of many deemed nonessential.

- Matt Gelb