Phillies non-roster invitee catcher Eric Fryer retires, shrinking camp roster to 60

By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor

CLEARWATER, Fla. — Just two days prior to Philadelphia Phillies pitchers and catchers reporting to spring training, one of the club's four non-roster invitee catchers announced his decision Monday to retire from the game of baseball, Eric Fryer.

Fryer, 32, signed a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training with the Phillies on Dec. 18, following a seven-year career with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Minnesota Twins and St. Louis Cardinals. He was set to compete in camp with fellow non-roster catchers Edgar Cabral, Matt McBride and Logan Moore.

The Phillies have now lost two non-roster invitees over the last three days, before camp has even commenced under new manager Gabe Kapler. On Saturday, right-hander Steve Geltz was suspended 100 games for a third positive test for a drug of abuse. The camp roster now stands at 60, notes The Athletic's Matt Gelb.

Fryer produced a career .232/.320/.300 slash over 159 games and 374 plate appearances, driving in 27 runs on 17 extra-base hits, 41 walks and 80 strikeouts.