Phillies designate J.C. Ramirez for assignment

The Philadelphia Phillies have designated right-hander J.C. Ramirez for assignment, the team has announced.

The move clears a spot on the Phillies' roster for recently signed right-handed reliever Chad Durbin. Philadelphia's agreement with Durbin is now official.

Ramirez was acquired from the Seattle Mariners, along with Tyson Gillies and Phillippe Aumont, in exchange for left-handed starting pitcher Cliff Lee in 2009.

Ramirez spent the 2012 season with the Phillies' Double- and Triple-A affiliates. He appeared in a combined 45 games, posting an ERA of 4.01 with 7.0 strikeouts and 4.1 walks.

2012 marked Ramirez's first season as a primary reliever in the Phillies' organization. Prior to last year, the 24-year-old has been used almost exclusively as a starting pitcher. From his professional debut with the Mariners in 2006 through the 2011 season, Ramirez only pitched out of the bullpen five times.

Over seven seasons at the minor league level, Ramirez owns a career ERA of 4.31 with 7.2 strikeouts and 3.5 walks per nine innings.