The Phillies have released catcher Drew Butera and infielder Andrew Romine, per a club announcement. Both had been in camp on minor-league deals with March 21st opt-out provisions, Jim Salisbury of NBC Sports Philadelphia notes on Twitter.
Clearly, the Philadelphia organization had determined that neither player would make its active roster. The 35-year-old Butera, a light-hitting career reserve, had quite a strong offensive showing in camp but did not do enough to top youngster Andrew Knapp for backup duties. Romine, 33, didn’t hit much this spring. He rarely has done much with the bat in the big leagues, but has been trusted to appear at every position on the field.
xabial
Someone better sign Andrew Romine… He once played all 9 positions in a game. Plus, his brother’s backup Catcher for the Yanks and something about siblings, playing at the game’s highest level, that’s cool.
Lefty Grove’s right hand
It’s pretty cool, but it’s more common than you’d think. Over 350 brother combinations have been major leaguers. Though, playing all 9 positions in a game is incredibly rare to see. Only 5 players, including Romine, have accomplished that feet.
SargentDownvote
Yea, he’s a great shortstop until the ball gets hit to him.
Hey Romine, how ’bout acting like a batting champion for the whole season.
Is there a glove for that??
Long Duc Dong
Wow Sarg, I am not his biggest fan, but he does not deserve that. He plays a game you stopped in grade school and makes more money in one year, even at a minimum salary than you will make in your red neck life.
Long Duc Dong
You have been donged
ReverieDays
You spelled Sergeant wrong.
Long Duc Dong
You have been donged as well
Long Duc Dong
Look how he spells it then open your mouth
VonPurpleHayes
Phillies have historically had the lesser talented sibling. Pretty funny actually.
AndyMeyer
Jeremy Giambi
todd76
Drew and his father Sal are only the third father/son combos to each win a World Series.
MafiaBass
Their dad, Kevin, played for the Red Sox for a few years
stymeedone
When Iggy and Galvez are being signed as utility fielders, it can only get harder for the Andrew Romines of the world to find major league jobs, no matter how many positions he has played.
xabial
When he played Catcher… that put his team’s 3-2 win in jeopardy with a passed ball. Still a cool feat though lol
tigersfan1320
Yeah cause that win meant so much for the tigers lol
CaliTwins
That pic is not Butera
tigersfan1320
Who is it then…
CaliTwins
They changed it lol
SargentDownvote
Butera’s last baseball card featured a Korean baseball fan drinking a beer.
jd396
SargentDownvote’s last baseball card featured him getting a hug from his probation officer
jd396
But that might be more of a straight arm bar than a hug now that I look closer.
nentwigs
Word is the Andrew Romine plans to team up with Ken Iceberg and open a Salad Bar.
Mrtwotone
Comment of the day lol
todd76
No surprises here.
talking baseball
Butera to SF !!
5TUNT1N
Love your name, solid Marty Lurie Reference. The giants by the bay!
Melvin McMurf
Drew is a rare talent. Don’t know many career negative WARs out there.
Jimcarlo Slaton
Ken Reitz was an all-star and gold glove award winner, but his career WAR is -3.1 .
Ejemp2006
Obscure reference of the year and it’s only March! Nice!