CLEARWATER, Fla. — Right-handed pitcher Noah Song was discharged from the Navy and will report to Phillies spring training camp on Thursday, the team announced on Wednesday.
Song, 25, was selected by the Phillies from the Red Sox in the major league Rule 5 draft in December. Because he attended the U.S. Naval Academy — graduating in 2019 — he was initially required to serve five years in the Navy. Song petitioned the Navy in 2019 to get a waiver to delay his active service until after his baseball career, which was unresolved, and petitioned for another waiver in 2022, but was finally discharged on Wednesday.
Because Song is on Major League Baseball’s military list, he won’t be counted against the 40-man roster until opening day. If he makes the team out of spring training, Song will be placed on the Phillies’ 26-man roster. If he doesn’t make the team, he will be traded or placed on waivers. Song can be placed on the injured list, or the bereavement list, or the paternity list, but he can’t be optioned.
