Lou Marson returns on minor-league deal

Lou Marson, a former Phillies fourth-round pick and prospect, will return to the organization in 2014 on a minor-league contract as catching depth.

Marson, 27, was among four players invited to spring training Wednesday by the Phillies. The others are outfielders Tony Gwynn Jr. and Dave Sappelt and righthander Sean O'Sullivan.

The Phillies traded Marson to Cleveland as part of a four-player package to acquire Cliff Lee in 2010. He languished while with the Indians, hitting just .217 with a .602 OPS in five seasons as a reserve. Marson figures to back up prospect Cameron Rupp at triple-A Lehigh Valley and provides depth.

Marson appeared in eight games with the Phillies before the trade.

Gwynn, 31, is a player who has interested the Phillies in the past. He is the son of Hall of Famer Tony Gwynn, but his major-league success is fleeting. He spent all of 2013 in the minors with Los Angeles. He has a career .630 OPS in 605 major-league games.

Sappelt, 26, appeared for the Cubs in each of the last three seasons and can play all three outfield positions. He is a career .251 hitter with a .644 OPS. O'Sullivan, 26, has logged 50 games (37 starts) in the majors with a 5.89 ERA. He could assume a spot in the IronPigs' rotation.

Have a question? Send it to Matt Gelb's Mailbag.