The Braves signed C/1B Jason Phillips as a free agent and added him to their triple-A Richmond roster. Phillips had been playing for the Camden Riversharks, an independent Atlantic League team -- the same team that pitcher Brian Lawrence was playing for this year before the Braves signed him several weeks ago. You may remember Lawrence best for his begoggled facade:
Phillips was hitting .302 with five homeruns and 38 RBI in 42 games this year with the Riversharks. He has 465 games of major league experience with the Mets, Dodgers, and Blue Jays, compiling a .249 career major league batting average in seven seasons. He last played for Toronto last season where he hit just .208.
The 31-year old Phillips was used mainly as a catcher last season, and his presence on the Richmond squad is likely a result of the trade of catcher Sal Fasano last week. Phillips would likely only be called up if there were an injury to a catcher in Atlanta and an injury to Clint Sammons.