Chan Ho Park Named Fifth Starter; Jenkins Cut
The Phillies have cut their roster to the 25 players that will appear on Opening Day, April 5th, as they look to defend 
their World Series Title. Two major changes are that, free agent signing Chan Ho Park and not former Lakewood BlueClaws pitcher JA Happ, will be the Phillies fifth starter.
Park was signed in the off-season to a one-year $2.5 million deal in the hopes to win the back-of-the-rotation spot, he achieved his goal today. Park impressed the Phillies coaching staff by striking out 25 in 21.1 innings in the spring and only walking two batters. He went 2-0 with a 2.53 ERA.
Happ, also impressed in the spring as he had an ERA of 3.15 with 14 strikeouts in 20 innings. He pitched for the Phillies last season and had success, but Park’s experience and control during his spring innings gave him the nod for now.
In other roster moves, the Phillies released Geoff Jenkins, whom they owe the sum of $8 million. Jenkins arrived in Philadelphia before last season and saw his regular playing time slashed as his competition for playing time excelled. Jen
kins hit an important double as the first batter when play resumed in game 5 of the World Series, but never managed much in the regular season. With his release, the Phillies will be paying out $17 million to players that have been cut, with Adam Eaton’s departure last month.
Finally, the Phillies have indicated they have received interest from the agent of Gary Sheffield, who was just released by the Detroit Tigers. Sheffield, sitting on 499 career home runs, will be paid $14 million this season by the Tigers so the Phillies would stand to get his services likely for the veteran minimum of $400,000.
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