As the roster stands now, Rupp will battle Andrew Knapp this spring for a slot on the 25-man roster behind Jorge Alfaro. The loser will likely head to triple-A Lehigh Valley as both have minor-league options remaining. Alfaro is out of minor-league options, so his spot on the opening day roster is guaranteed.
“Carrying three young catchers on the 40-man roster — if that’s what we end up doing — is really no trouble,” Phillies general manager Matt Klentak said in November. “Two of those players, Rupp and Knapp, have options. Alfaro is the only one who does not. It’s not ideal to option young players who we think are major-leaguers. But the flexibility is there.”
Rupp, 29, struggled at times last season, particularly against right-handed pitching where he hit just .195 over 222 plate appearances. He also ended the year on a sour note, hitting .180 over the final two months of the season. In five seasons at the big league level, he's slashing .234/.298/.407.
The Phillies have three other arbitration-eligible players in second baseman Cesar Hernandez, third baseman Maikel Franco and righthanded reliever Luis Garcia.
All arbitration-eligible players still unsigned by midday Friday will exchange figures with their clubs.
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