Barfield, two others, optioned as infield pool shrinks
Josh Barfield, who saw plenty of action at second and third base this spring, was one of three players re-assigned to the minor leagues on Sunday. Also sent down were Dane Sardinha and Tuffy Gosewisch.
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- You can cross one infielder off the list of candidates to fill the void left by Chase Utley's lingering knee injury.
Josh Barfield, who saw plenty of action at second and third base this spring, was one of three players re-assigned to the minor leagues on Sunday. Also sent down were catchers Dane Sardinha and Tuffy Gosewisch.
Barfield, a former top prospect with the Padres, had a hot start to the spring but had recently cooled, going hitless in his last 11 plate appearances.He finished the spring hitting .271 with a .302 on base percentage and .375 slugging percentage in 42 at-bats.
The move essentially leaves three players -- veterans Luis Castillo and Pete Orr and Rule 5 pick Michael Martinez -- competing for an infield position. Veteran Delwyn Young also remains, although the Phillies view him more as a pinch-hitter/outfielder than a candidate to play second base.
Barfield should begin the season as the regular second baseman at Triple-A Lehigh Valley. He had a solid rookie season with San Diego as a 23-year-old in 2006, hitting .280 wtih a .741 OPS, 13 home runs and 21 stolen bases. But he struggled the next season, hitting .243 with a .593 OPS and three home runs. Since 2007, he has logged just 53 big league plate appearances.
Last year, Barfield hit .294 with a .725 OPS and five home runs in 284 plate appearances for Triple-A Portland.
Sardinha spent last season alternating with Paul Hoover at catcher for Lehigh Valley. This year, the Phillies appear to view veteran Erik Kratz as third on their organizational depth chart. Kratz, who remains with the Phillies and is expected to make the trip north for the team's two exhibition games against the Pirates on Tuesday and Wednesday, hit .274 with an .875 OPS and nine home runs in 274 plate appearances for Triple-A Indianapolis last season.
Sardinha went 5-for-14 with two doubles and five RBI this spring. He appeared in 13 games for the Phillies last season, hitting three home runs in 39 at-bats.
Gosewisch is well-regarded in the organization for his handling of pitchers. He spent last season at Double-A Reading.
The moves leave the Phillies with 33 players in camp. The club's 25-man roster for Opening Day must be submitted on Thursday. The Phillies open the regular season on Friday against the Astros at Citizens Bank Park.
