Phillies designate Garrett Stubbs for assignment

The Phillies have designated catcher Garrett Stubbs for assignment, the team announced on Wednesday.

The club was looking to find a trade partner for Stubbs, 32. Rafael Marchan will be the Phillies’ backup catcher to open the season.

Since Stubbs is out of minor league options, he will have to clear waivers to remain in the organization. As a player with more than three years of major league service time, Stubbs has the right to refuse a minor league assignment and become a free agent. Stubbs is signed to a split contract that guarantees him a higher-than-average minor league salary of $575,000. Stubbs would forfeit that salary if he declares free agency. .

Other roster moves announced by the Phillies include the selection of outfielder Justin Crawford and infielder Christian Cairo to the 40-man roster. Cairo, 24, was subsequently optioned to Triple-A. Cairo, 24, was in camp with the Phillies as a non-roster invitee. The son of former Phillie Miguel Cairo, Christian spent all of last season with the Triple-A Columbus Clippers. Matt Gelb of The Athletic reported that Cairo had an upward mobility clause in his minor-league contract.

Crawford was expected to win a spot on the Phillies’ Opening Day roster. He will begin the season as the club’s starting center fielder.

Zack Wheeler (right shoulder surgery), Orion Kerkering (right hamstring strain) and Max Lazar (left oblique strain) were all placed on the 15-day injured list.