READING, Pa. — Phillies manager Pete Mackanin said the organization is using every remaining exhibition inning before making final decisions on the back end of the roster, but it sure sounds like Cedric Hunter has earned himself a spot.
He was as unlikely a 25-man roster candidate as any non-prospect in camp when the spring begun, but the 28-year-old has impressed the Phils' manager with his left-handed bat, defense and energy.
Mackanin didn't commit Thursday to carrying Hunter as the fourth or fifth outfielder over veteran Will Venable when the regular season begins Monday in Cincinnati, but he came close to it.
"I haven't seen enough of Will Venable," Mackanin said before the Phillies' Futures Game at FirstEnergy Stadium. "I've seen him in the past, but let's put it this way: I really like Cedric Hunter. I like Will Venable for what he's done for us. We'll have to make that decision the last day. Let's put it this way: Hunter made a great impression. Leave it at that."
Venable was signed by the Phillies to a minor-league deal on Monday. By the time camp ends, he will have had only four games to make an impression and it seems like that won't be enough.
Venable, who opted out of his contract with the Indians last weekend, said earlier in the week that he would be willing to go Triple A if he doesn't make the Phillies' opening day roster (see story).
Venable can also opt out of his deal with the Phils if he isn't on the major-league roster by May 1.
MLB
"I have no expectations," Venable said Tuesday. "I’m just in camp. If it means that I have to go to Triple A, I’ll prove myself there. Whatever it takes. I know that at some point I would like to be here contributing at the big-league level."
Hunter is 16 for 60 (.267) this spring with four doubles, a triple, three homers and 12 RBIs.
Hunter has just six career MLB plate appearances, all with the Padres in 2011. In nearly 5,000 minor-league plate appearances over 10 seasons, Hunter has hit .288/.348/.413.
Here's the latest guess at the Phillies' opening-day roster:
C Cameron Rupp
C Carlos Ruiz
1B Ryan Howard
1B Darin Ruf
2B Cesar Hernandez
3B Maikel Franco
SS Freddy Galvis
Util Andres Blanco
OF Odubel Herrera
OF Peter Bourjos
OF Tyler Goeddel
OF Cedric Hunter
OF/IF Emmanuel Burris
SP Jeremy Hellickson
SP Aaron Nola
SP Charlie Morton
SP Jerad Eickhoff
SP Vince Velasquez
RP David Hernandez
RP Dalier Hinojosa
RP Jeanmar Gomez
RP Brett Oberholtzer (LH)
RP Daniel Stumpf (LH)
RP James Russell (LH)
RP Hector Neris
Cody Asche will begin the season on the disabled list.