CLEARWATER, Fla. (AP) - The Philadelphia Phillies optioned right-hander Kyle Kendrick to their minor league camp on Monday, cutting the candidates for the final spot in the rotation to three.
Kendrick, who has won 21 games in the Phillies rotation since June 2007, was competing for the fifth-starter spot with veteran Chan Ho Park, rookie J.A. Happ and top prospect Carlos Carrasco. The move was announced before Philadelphia's 8-3 victory over the New York Yankees at Bright House Field.Kendrick, who struggled in the second half of last season, was 1-3 with a 9.20 ERA in four Grapefruit League games this spring.
"At first I was upset, but I know what I need to do," Kendrick said. "I need to go down there and work on my secondary pitches, and I'll be back."
Kendrick likely will start the season at Triple-A Lehigh Valley.
"He's going to get back to the big leagues," Philadelphia pitching coach Rich Dubee said. "I told him about Jamie Moyer having to go backwards and Roy Halladay had to go backwards. If Kyle goes out there with an open mind and committed to doing the things he needs to, he can get back here and get back here quickly if he does the things we ask him to do."
Top catching prospect Lou Marson, infielders Brad Harman and Jason Donald and pitchers Dave Borkowski and Jake Woods also were sent to minor league camp.
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