Phillies outright Dustin McGowan off of the roster

The Phillies added infield prospect Maikel Franco to the roster this morning.  Since the Phillies added starting pitcher Sean O'Sullivan when sending infielder Cody Asche down to AAA Lehigh Valley, the team had an extra pitcher.  The one to be subtracted was veteran Dustin McGowan.

The Phillies announced today that McGowan was outrighted:

RHP Dustin McGowan was outrighted to @IronPigs. We now have 39 players on 40-man roster.

— Phillies (@Phillies) May 15, 2015

The extra roster spot could come in handy later.

The Phillies signed McGowan at the end of Spring Training after he was cut by the Los Angeles Dodgers.   McGowan was not the player the Phillies hoped he would be.  In 10 games, McGowan went 1-1 with a 5.79 ERA.   McGowan's WHIP was 2.19, extremely high for a relief pitcher.

McGowan was a successful starter with the Toronto Blue Jays earlier in his career before he battled continued injury.  McGowan would have cleared waivers already (as MLB Trade Rumors notes) so another team cannot claim McGowan.  However, if he chooses, McGowan can opt for free agency rather than accept an assignment at AAA Lehigh Valley.