Phillies release veteran outfielder Jenkins, name Park fifth starter

CLEARWATER, Fla. -- Geoff Jenkins, who had a key hit for Philadelphia in the resumption of Game 5 of last year's World Series, is no longer a Phillie.

The Phillies released Jenkins on Tuesday, giving them 29 players as Saturday's deadline approaches for the team to set its 25-man roster. Philadelphia also named Chan Ho Park its fifth starter. The veteran right-hander beat out lefty J.A. Happ for the final spot in the starting rotation.

Jenkins hit .246 with 9 home runs and 29 RBI last season for the Phillies. His double in the first at-bat of the resumption of Game 5 of the World Series led to the go-ahead run. The Tampa Bay Rays later tied the game, but the Phillies went on to win and secure their first World Series title in 28 years.

The 31-year-old outfielder is a career .275 hitter with 221 home runs and 733 RBI in 12 seasons.

Philadelphia owes Jenkins $8 million on his contract: $6.75 million for this season plus a $1.25 million buyout of his 2010 option. The Phillies also must pay $9 million to pitcher Adam Eaton, who was released last month.

Park had an outstanding spring after signing a $2.5 million, one-year contract with the Phillies in January. He came into camp competing with incumbent No. 5 starter Kyle Kendrick, rookie prospect Carlos Carrasco and Happ.

Park, a former All-Star, was 4-4 with a 3.40 ERA in 54 appearances for the Los Angeles Dodgers last season. He was 1-0 with a 2.16 ERA as a starter and 3-4 with a 3.84 ERA in relief.