Benson Wants to Stick Around, Blackley Released

Although the Phillies did not add Kris Benson to their 40-man roster, the pitcher did not opt out of his contract during his 24-hour window to do so. Todd Zolecki quotes Benson as follows:

"I'm feeling good with the clubhouse and the pitching coach and the manager," Benson said. "The winning attitude here, the excitement going into the season, it's all a win-win situation from my standpoint. From their standpoint, they have another starting pitcher they can count on down the road."

We're glad to see Benson is staying despite a likely contract restructuring. If Adam Eaton doesn't work out (imagine that), Benson may be recovered by then and ready to throw again. It's not like the Phillies have much of a backup plan at present.

Travis Blackley also didn't make the club, and Paul Hagen reports that his locker was mysteriously cleared out without any announcement of his release.

Blackley's locker was cleared out yesterday morning, but no announcement was made on the status of the Rule 5 draft choice. According to sources, he has cleared waivers.

All the Phillies would say is that, if he has cleared waivers, he now has the choice of accepting assignment to their Triple A Lehigh Valley farm team or to Fresno, the Triple A affiliate of the Giants, the team the Phillies selected him from. Or he can choose to become a free agent.

The Phillies hope they can keep Blackley and speculate that the Giants would choose not to keep him if he is offered back to them. "I'd like to see anybody stay who can get outs," Manuel said.

We've been Blackley fans ever since reading this, but now we mostly know him as the guy who broke Curtis Granderson's finger last week.