3:06pm: Mathieson has been placed on optional waivers, according to Gelb. Assistant GM Scott Proefrock is hopeful that the club will be able to retain the righthander. Because optional waivers are revocable, they should be able to keep him in the organization.
The Nationals made a similar move in May when they placed pitcher Matt Chico on waivers while still holding options on his contract. The transaction was made to clear a roster spot for Doug Slaten.
12:36pm: Gelb confirmed with assistant GM Scott Proefrock that Mathieson was indeed designated for assignment even though he has minor league options remaining (Twitter link). Proefrock said it was a "procedural move," but would not elaborate.
12:13pm: The Phillies have designated reliever Scott Mathieson for assignment, tweets Matt Gelb of The Philadelphia Inquirer. The move frees up a roster spot for catcher Dane Sardinha, who was recalled from Triple-A.
The 26-year-old Mathieson appeared in just one game for the Phillies this year, giving up two runs while recording just two outs against the Twins yesterday. The two-time Tommy John surgery survivor struck out 34 batters in 29.2 innings in Triple-A this year, and is best known for a fastball that flirts with triple digits.
There’s some uncertainty as to whether this actually happened, and Mathieson may still have an option. Unconfirmed.
Matt Gelb is an idiot. Mathieson has options left.
There is no way they DFA’ed him. He has options left.
Sure enough, DFAed with options remaining.
AMARO STRIKES AGAIN.
Sardinha isn’t on the 40 man and they didn’t want to DL Ruiz…thus, they opened up a spot on the 40 man with the DFA.
Odd though, there are better candidates around.
If hes claimed on waivers, they can revoke them and then option him to triple A right?