Phillies designate Garrett Stubbs for assignment

Garrett Stubbs could end up back in Lehigh Valley after being DFA’d by the Phillies. (Cheryl Pursell)The Phillies have designated catcher Garrett Stubbs for assignment, the team announced on Wednesday.

The club was looking to find a trade partner for Stubbs, 32. Rafael Marchan will be the Phillies’ backup catcher to open the season.

Since Stubbs is out of minor league options, he will have to clear waivers to remain in the organization. As a player with more than three years of major league service time, Stubbs has the right to refuse a minor league assignment and become a free agent. Stubbs is signed to a split contract that guarantees him a higher-than-average minor league salary of…