Philadelphia Phillies Release Marcus Giles; Option Two to Minors

This morning, the Phillies released Marcus Giles form their roster as they prepare for opening night and trim the roster. Carlos Carrasco and John Mayberry Jr. have also been optioned to minor-league camp for the rest of the spring as well.

Giles may be upset with the decision but has no ill feelings towards the organization;

""I don't blame their decision," Giles said. "I got every chance in the world. It's not their fault. There's nobody to blame but myself. I would have made the same decision they did to be honest with you. I'm not a guy to make excuses. I had my chance."
Via Todd Zolecki/MLB.com"

Giles is right. This spring the veteran infielder has hit .167 in 19 games with four runs scored and seven strike outs. With that kind of lack of production there was little chance Giles would make the roster that already has Pedro Feliz, Chase Utley, Ryan Howard, Jimmy Rollins and...Eric Bruntlet and Greg Dobbs?

It was fairly obvious that Carrasco would head back to the minors for the start of the season and there is nothing wrong with that. The hot name at the start of the spring was Mayberry, who provided the Phillies with some pop at the plate.

Mayberry hit .246 and hit three home runs bu struck out a team leading 21 times in 25 games. Howard struck out 19 times by comparison.

Mayberry will obviously need to put some work in with his pitch selection and cut down on those strike outs and develop some more patience at the plate before he becomes a good option for the bench on the Phillies. Getting more playing time in the minor leagues seems to be a good fit at this time.

These moves seem to indicate that Miguel Cairo could make the roster as a right handed bat off of the bench.

This story was originally published on Macho Row.