The Phillies optioned Luis Garcia to the minor leagues Thursday, which means Adam Morgan and Joely Rodriguez will likely join the club when it travels north to Cincinnati for opening day Monday.
Garcia put up a 5.91 ERA in eight spring games, striking out 11 and walking one. The K/BB numbers are good, and coaches gushed about his high-octane fastball and developing splitter, but the Phils may be opting instead for the two lefties, one who can pitch a couple innings at a time (Morgan), and one who will be asked to get big outs against lefty bats (Rodriguez).