Hunter was suspended for 50 games after testing positive for amphetamine, the Atlanta Journal Constitution's David O'Brien reports.
He is a free agent, and at 28 years old and with this suspension hanging over him, it is unlikely he receives much interest on the open market.
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Cedric Hunter: Files for free agency
Rotowire
Hunter has elected free agency.
Hunter won a roster spot with the Phillies out of spring training this year, but ended up back in the minors after just 13 games due to a slow start at the plate. He was solid at Triple-A Lehigh Valley where he slashed .294/.324/.433 with 10 home runs in 330 at-bats.
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Phillies' Cedric Hunter: Outrighted from 40-man
Rotowire
The Phillies outrighted Hunter from the 40-man roster Monday, Meghan Montemurro of The News Journal reports.
Although he opened the season with the big club, Hunter mustered just three hits in 34 at-bats before he was optioned to Triple-A Lehigh Valley last Monday. With his 40-man roster spot stripped away, it'll be more difficult for Hunter to earn his way back to the majors.
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Phillies' Cedric Hunter: Optioned to Triple-A on Monday
Rotowire
Hunter was optioned to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Monday, Ryan Lawrence of the Philly Voice reports.
Hunter got off to a horrific start to the season, batting a putrid .088 in 36 at-bats so far. This was large enough of a sample to warrant a demotion, which should allow him to rediscover a rhythm at the plate. In a corresponding move, David Lough was called up from Triple-A to replace him on the big league roster.
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Phillies' Cedric Hunter: Out of lineup Sunday
Rotowire
Hunter is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Nationals, Meghan Montemurro of The News Journal reports.
Hunter has been working in a platoon in left field with Tyler Goeddel throughout the season, and will head to the bench Sunday while the latter picks up the start against Nationals lefty Gio Gonzalez. Even when batting against opposite-handed pitching, Hunter hasn't proven particularly adept this season, going 3-for-32.
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Phillies' Cedric Hunter: Out of lineup Tuesday
Rotowire
Hunter is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Padres.
Tyler Goeddel will take over in left field Tuesday with the Phillies going against left-hander Robbie Erlin. Hunter had started the previous five games, but he went just 2-for-16 in that stretch and had gone hitless in his last 10 at-bats. He could slot back into the order Wednesday with righty Colin Rea on the mound for the Padres.
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Phillies' Cedric Hunter: Could lose playing time
Rotowire
Hunter and Peter Bourjos could be at risk of losing playing time in the outfield to Darin Ruf, Jim Salisbury of CSN Philadelphia reports.
The Phillies stressed defense this spring and did not plan to use Ruf in the outfield, but manager Pete Mackanin is willing to move away from that approach to get more offense in his lineup. Hunter went 0-for-3 against the Mets on Saturday. He has just two hits in 14 at-bats thus far.
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Phillies' Cedric Hunter: Hits first major league home run
Rotowire
Hunter went 1-for-3 with a home run and a walk in Thursday's loss to the Reds.
Hunter was back in the lineup against a right-hander after sitting against a lefty Wednesday. The home run was his first in the majors.
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Phillies' Cedric Hunter: Out of the lineup Wednesday
Rotowire
Hunter is out of the lineup on Wednesday against the Reds.
Hunter, who is splitting the left field job with Tyler Goeddel, will get Wednesday off. Hunter went 0-for-4 in the team's first game with two strikeouts. Look for him and Goeddel to split time with Hunter getting more at-bats against righties.
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Phillies' Cedric Hunter: Will platoon in left field
Rotowire
Hunter and Tyler Goeddel will open the season in a left-field platoon, MLB.com's Todd Zolecki reports.
While Hunter will not play every day in left field, he falls on the more advantageous side of the platoon as the left-handed hitter. With the Phillies taking on right-hander Raisel Iglesias on Monday, Hunter will start in left field and hit sixth in the Phillies' Opening Day lineup.
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Phillies' Cedric Hunter: Earns a roster spot
Rotowire
Hunter has earned a roster spot with the Phillies, Paul Hagen of MLB.com reports.
Hagen also says Hunter projects to be a regular in the outfield for the Phillies along with Odubel Herrera and Peter Bourjos. It's more likely that Hunter will split time with Rule 5 pick Tyler Goeddel. Emmanuel Burriss could also see some time in the outfield as well. Hunter hit .283 with 12 home runs and 11 stolen bases at Triple-A last season. He'll have a little value in deeper leagues until Cody Asche is ready to come off the disabled list.
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Phillies' Cedric Hunter: Close to locking up a roster spot?
Rotowire
Manager Pete Mackanin seems to be leaning toward choosing Hunter over Will Venable for a roster spot, Marc Narducci of the Philadelphia Inquirer reports.
Hunter has impressed Mackanin this spring with his solid approach at the plate and good defense in the outfield. He'll have a chance to earn a share of the at-bats in a time share with Rule 5 pick Tyler Goeddel. Emmanuel Burriss could also be in the mix for at-bats if he makes the roster as expected.
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Phillies' Cedric Hunter: Could hit leadoff if he makes the team
Rotowire
Manager Pete Mackanin said Hunter could hit leadoff if he earns a roster spot with the Phillies, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.
Hunter has impressed both Mackanin and GM Matt Klentak this spring. He has hit .259 (15-for-58) with three home runs in 21 games. If he won a job, he would likely split time with Rule 5 pick Tyler Goeddel. Hunter is competing for one of two remaining roster spots with Wil Venable and Emmanuel Burriss.
Phillies' Cedric Hunter: Hits third home run of the spring Monday
Rotowire
Hunter went 1-for-4 with a home run Monday against the Tigers.
Hunter, who is competing for a bench job, is hitting .302 with three home runs in 43 at-bats this spring. The 28-year-old was a former top prospect in the Padres' farm system, but has had just four plate appearances in the majors in 10 professional seasons. If Odubel Herrera's finger issue sidelines him into the regular season, it will increase the chances that Hunter breaks camp with the Phillies.
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Phillies' Cedric Hunter: Chances of earning a roster spot have improved
Rotowire
Hunter has an improved chance of winning a roster spot with Aaron Altherr set to miss 4-to-6 months with a wrist injury, the PhillyVoice reports.
Hunter is in camp as a non-roster invitee. He last played in the major leagues in 2011 as a member of the Padres, seeing time in six games and logging just four at-bats. He is competing with Tyler Goeddel, Cody Asche, Darnell Sweeney and David Lough for at-bats.
Hunter signed a minor league deal with the Phillies on Monday, Stephen Gross of The Morning Call reports. The deal includes a spring training invite.
The 27-year-old last played in the major leagues in 2011 as a member of the Padres, seeing time in six games and logging just four at-bats. Hunter has spent each of the past two seasons in the Braves organization, splitting time between Double-A and Triple-A. Last season, Hunter hit .283/.331/.420 with 77 RBI and 12 home runs. He'll attempt to earn his way onto the roster in spring training, but he'll likely begin the year at Triple-A.
