Ryan Howard's 15-year relationship with the Phillies officially ended Thursday when the Phillies declined a $23 million option and he became a free agent.
The Phillies will pay Howard $10 million to buy out the 2017 option.
The team also declined an $9.5 million option on Charlie Morton, a righthanded starter who pitched in just four games for the Phillies before tearing a hamstring in April. Morton received a $1 million payment for his buyout.
The removal of those two players, plus the reinstatement of pitchers Aaron Nola, Zach Eflin and Matt Harrison from the 60-day disabled list, put the Phillies' 40-man roster at 36 players.