Notes: Rondón competing; Hoskins to debut

LAKELAND, Fla. -- Héctor Rondón has one of the best track records of any Phillies reliever in camp, but like Brandon Kintzler and Tony Watson, he settled for a Minor League contract.

If Rondón feels slighted by it, he is not letting on.

“It’s more like challenging myself,” he said after pitching one inning in Wednesday’s 4-2 Grapefruit League victory over the Tigers. “I know last year I struggled. The Phillies wanted me here. They wanted me here for one reason. I know I have to come in and compete for a spot.”

? Box score

Rondón, 33, has a 24-20 record with a 3.49 ERA and 92 saves in 444 appearances over an eight-year career with the Cubs, Astros and D-backs. He has pitched in 21 postseason games, including two in the 2016 World Series with the Cubs and two in the '19 World Series with the Astros. But Rondón had an uncharacteristic 7.65 ERA in 23 appearances last season with Arizona. Just like that any chances of a Major League contract evaporated.

“Mentally, I think the way we prepared last year,” Rondón said, referring to his struggles in a 60-game season. “I know some guys who had success in the past had a tough year. But that’s in the past. I’m focused on this year.”

Rondón allowed one hit and one run and struck out one in his Grapefruit League debut. That line is deceiving. Rondón got Niko Goodrum to hit a fly ball to left field to start the fifth. Left fielder Jhailyn Ortiz lost the ball in the sun. It fell in front of him and Goodrum reached second for a double.

Rondon then got Wilson Ramos and Isaac Paredes to ground out, but Goodrum scored on the latter. The righty struck out Christin Stewart looking on a 93 mph fastball to end the inning.

“He got some extra outs,” Phillies manager Joe Girardi said. “I thought he did a really good job of handling that. But he also threw strikes.”

Rondón’s fastball touched 94 mph. It averaged 95.7 mph last season and 96.7 mph in 2019.

“It’s good for me, especially right now,” he said about his early velocity. “Normally for me, I take a lot of time in Spring Training to get ready. But now, I have to be ready right away.”

Like Kintzler, Watson, Iván Nova and catcher Jeff Mathis, Rondón has a March 24 opt-out clause in his contract. He did not say if he would accept a trip to Triple-A, if he does not make the team.

“I’m coming here trying to make the big leagues, trying to help this team win,” he said. “I think that goes for Watson, Kintzler and me. We’re trying to make this team. We’ve been in the big leagues for a long time. The goal is being in the big leagues.”

Rhys returns, Bryce next?
Rhys Hoskins will make his Grapefruit League debut on Thursday against the Yankees at BayCare Ballpark. He could be the designated hitter.

It is unclear when Bryce Harper will make his spring debut, although Girardi said earlier this week that Harper will follow the debuts of Didi Gregorius, who played Wednesday, and Hoskins. Gregorius arrived at camp late because of visa issues. Hoskins and Harper are being brought along more slowly. Hoskins had left elbow surgery in October, although he is medically cleared to play. Harper suffered back issues late last season, but he is healthy.

Both have been hitting in live batting practice sessions.

Extra bases
? Right-hander Zach Eflin allowed one hit and struck out three in two scoreless innings in his spring debut. “Great, really good,” Girardi said. “Good command of his pitches. All of them.”

? Andrew Knapp hit a hard two-run double to right field over the head of Riley Greene in the third inning. Lancaster Catholic High School (Pa.)’s Travis Jankowski started the four-run inning with a triple.

? Nova walked two and struck out two in two scoreless innings, rebounding from a rough debut Sunday when he could not finish the opening frame.

? Left-hander Matt Moore will start for the Phillies on Thursday vs. the Yankees at 1:05 p.m. ET. Right-hander Vince Velasquez will follow him. Both are competing for jobs in the rotation.