Philadelphia, PA – In an expected move, the Philadelphia Phillies placed outfielder Delmon Young on the 15-day disabled list prior to the team's season opener at Atlanta on Monday.
Young, signed to a one-year contract by the Phillies over the winter after helping the Detroit Tigers to a World Series appearance last season, is still recovering from ankle surgery performed in November. The former No. 1 overall pick has been serving as a designated hitter in minor league spring-training games and is tentatively expected to be ready around May 1.
John Mayberry Jr. and Laynce Nix will likely see the bulk of the time in right field during Young's absence, with the Phillies keeping Rule 5 draft choice Ender Inciarte on the Opening Day roster as well.
Philadelphia also purchased the contract of veteran catcher Humberto Quintero, who will help fill in while regular backstop Carlos Ruiz begins the season on a 25-game suspension for testing positive for amphetamines.
To get the roster down to the 25-man limit, the Phillies also optioned pitcher Michael Stutes to the minors and reassigned infielder Pete Orr, catcher Steven Lerud and pitcher Zach Miner to minor league camp.
Stutes is still making his way back from shoulder surgery performed last June.
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