CLEARWATER, Fla. -- Opening Day is nine days away and the Phillies' 25-man roster is coming into focus.

Outfielder Roman Quinn and right-hander Tommy Hunter are expected to open the season on the injured list. Quinn has been sidelined this spring by a strained right oblique. Hunter has been sidelined because of a strained flexor in his right arm.

Quinn's absence is likely to make the Phillies' four-man bench look like this: catcher Andrew Knapp, utility player Scott Kingery and outfielders Nick Williams and Aaron Altherr. The Phillies will have a decision to make once Quinn returns from the injured list because he and Altherr are both out of options.

Hunter's spot on the injured list likely opens a spot for right-handers Edubray Ramos, Yacksiel Rios and Victor Arano or left-hander James Pazos.

But because the Phillies have three days off in the first eight days of the season, the team could begin with right-hander Vince Velasquez in the bullpen and add another bench player, like outfielder Dylan Cozens, infielder Mitch Walding or a non-roster invitee like Sean Rodriguez.

Up next

Right-hander Nick Pivetta is scheduled to start for the Phillies on Wednesday against the Tigers at Spectrum Field at 1:05 p.m. ET. Right-handers Pat Neshek, David Robertson and Hector Neris also are scheduled to pitch.