Phillies Promote Justin Crawford, Add Christian Cairo to 40-Man Roster, Designate Garrett Stubbs

Overview

• The Phillies, which announced the moves Wednesday, set Justin Crawford as the everyday center fielder and selected infielder Christian Cairo to the 40-man roster before optioning him to Triple-A.
• Garrett Stubbs was designated for assignment to clear a roster spot, which removes him from the 40-man and starts a five-day trade-or-waiver clock.
• Rafael Marchán will open the season as J.T. Realmuto’s backup catcher.
• Cairo’s minor-league deal carried an upward-mobility clause that required the Phillies to add him to the 40-man or let him leave if another team offered a roster spot.
• Zack Wheeler (thoracic outlet surgery rehab), Orion Kerkering (right hamstring), and Max Lazar (left oblique) went on the 15-day injured list retroactive to March 22, tightening the club’s early pitching depth.