Phillies sign Dustin McGowan to one-year deal

Philadelphia has been seeking starting pitching depth since losing Cliff Lee in the beginning of spring training, and the club was able to add depth heading into the regular season on Saturday night. According to ESPN'S Jerry Crasnick, the Phillies signed Dustin McGowan to a one-year major league deal.

McGowan, 33, will pitch out of the Phillies' bullpen to begin the season. He posted a 4.17 ERA and 5.02 ERA in 82.0 innings with the Blue Jays last season. McGowan, who has made 158 career appearances and 68 career starts, can make a spot start if necessary, having made eight last season with Toronto. He has spent his entire career with the Blue Jays, pitching to a career 4.57 ERA and 25-27 record.

The Dodgers opted to release McGowan on Tuesday after he posted a 6.75 ERA in seven Cactus League appearances. If he made the club, according to MLB.com's Todd Zolecki, he would have earned $1 million this season.

Every major league club has to have its roster finalized by 3 P.M. EST on Sunday afternoon, and the addition of McGowan means the Phillies' bullpen is all but set. Jonathan Papelbon, Jake Diekman, Justin De Fratus, and Ken Giles will all pitch in relief for Philadelphia in 2015, and the club selected the contracts of Cesar Jimenez and Jeanmar Gomez on Saturday. Jimenez and Gomez will also pitch out of the bullpen.

Phillies Rule 5 draft pick Andy Oliver was outrighted to Triple-A, however instead he opted to become a free agent. Luis Garcia is the seventh reliever in camp, although he still has options and as a result could open the season in the minors. Zolecki notes the Phillies may choose to carry eight relief pitchers until they need a fifth starter on April 12. McGowan could be slotted into the five spot in the rotation at that point.