Phillies finalize roster with addition of Pete Orr

Share

Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Posted: 8:40 p.m.

By Jim Salisbury
CSNPhilly.com

The Phillies closed out spring training with a 4-1 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates at Citizens Bank Park on Wednesday.

After the game, manager Charlie Manuel rounded out his official 25-man roster by announcing that utility men Michael Martinez and Pete Orr had made the club. Delwyn Young, who had been in contention for a bench job, was reassigned to Triple A.

So here is the Phillies opening day roster:

Starting Pitchers
Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee, Roy Oswalt, Cole Hamels, Joe Blanton.

Bullpen
Jose Contreras, Ryan Madson, Danys Baez, David Herndon, Kyle Kendrick, J.C. Romero, Antonio Bastardo.
Catchers
Carlos Ruiz, Brian Schneider.

Infielders
Ryan Howard, Wilson Valdez, Jimmy Rollins, Placido Polanco, Michael Martinez, Pete Orr.

Outfielders
Ben Francisco, Shane Victorino, Raul Ibanez, John Mayberry Jr., Ross Gload.

Disabled List
Chase Utley, Domonic Brown, Brad Lidge, Brian Bocock, Brian Schlitter.

Martinez and Orr can both play infield and outfield. Gload and Mayberry can both play first base and outfield.

The roster took shape early Wednesday when second baseman Luis Castillo was released and it became clear that the club would keep Martinez, a Rule 5 pick from Washington. That left Orr and Young competing for the final bench spot. Orr helped his chances by stroking a standup triple in the eighth inning, one of just two hits the Phillies had in their exhibition finale.

The Phillies hit 10 triples in spring training. Orr had five of them. For the spring, he went 16 for 56 (.286) and had nine extra-base hits.

Orr, 31, has spent three-plus seasons in the majors with Atlanta and Washington. He spent all of last season at Triple-A. He wasnt sure what to do after Wednesdays game. He was uncertain whether he would be sticking with the Phillies or heading to Triple-A. So he went in the weight room for a workout. First base coach Sam Perlozzo told him that he was wanted in the managers office. Orr made the anxious walk to manager Charlie Manuels office, where good news was waiting.

In my head, I wish I could tell you I was super-confident, Orr said of his six-week tryout. But it was a roller-coaster.

It wasnt the first time Orr had been through it.

You get used to it, he said. If youre intimidated by it youre in the wrong business. Youve got to be able to take it and still perform.

Manuel likes Orrs defensive versatility. With Placido Polancos surgically repaired left elbow a concern, as Manuel said, the skipper likes the idea that Orr can play some third base if needed.

I was impressed with the way he played, Manuel said. He had a big spring. Every time I looked up he was wearing out that right-center gap.

Orr is Canadian, raised near Toronto. Hes a Maple Leafs fan, but dont hold that against him. His second cousin, Nick Boynton, plays for the Flyers.

Orr will wear No. 5. Before you ask, No. 4 is already assigned to Triple-A catcher Dane Sardinha.

Orr, by the way, is not related to hockey Hall of Famer Bobby Orr, nor has he ever met him.

E-mail Jim Salisbury at jsalisbury@comcastsportsnet.com

Related: Phils cut Castillo; Valdez to open at second baseBuy Phillies gear

Contact Us