Phillies Notes: Mayberry tries hand at first base

CLEARWATER, Fla. - Jimmy Rollins wanted to truly test his new first baseman, so he began throwing off target on purpose. John Mayberry Jr. picked a few of the errant throws and Rollins smiled.

"Like Derrek Lee out there!" Rollins yelled from across the diamond.

Nothing like hyperbolic statements in the early spring; Mayberry has a bit of work to do to equal a three-time Gold Glove winner. But the Phillies have a few bench spots open and Mayberry is working at the new (old) position to increase his chances.

"Versatility is definitely a commodity," Mayberry said. "The more you can show, the better chances you have of making the team."

And Mayberry's chances could be running thin. The 27-year-old has an important spring ahead of him.

"We look at him as a prospect and we have expectations of him," Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said. "He's at the age where he should be given a good chance to see exactly what kind of player he is."

Translation: He's getting too old for triple A, and it's time for him to show something.

Mayberry will play all three outfield positions this spring, Manuel said, as well as some first base. He played first at Stanford, but not since 2008 in the pros. First-base coach Sam Perlozzo is tasked with Mayberry's relearning this spring.

Beyond that, Mayberry will have to show he can hit righthanded pitching. At triple-A Lehigh Valley, he hit .350 against lefties but .239 against righties.

Still, Mayberry said he was encouraged by his September call-up to the majors when he went 4 for 12 with two home runs. One was hit off a righty.

"I made some strides," Mayberry said.

Former second-round pick Andrew Carpenter was designated for assignment Tuesday when the Phillies claimed righthander Brian Schlitter off waivers from the Yankees.

Schlitter was Phillies' property before. They traded him to the Chicago Cubs for Scott Eyre in 2008.

The 25-year-old pitched in seven major-league games for the Cubs in 2010 and had a 12.38 ERA. The Yankees picked him up off waivers in January and released him earlier this week. In 37 triple-A games, Schlitter had a 3.15 ERA.

Carpenter is the odd man out, and it's the latest blow for a 2006 second-round pick who has yet to live up to that status. The 25-year-old has appeared in five games with the Phillies over the last three seasons, making one start in 2009. He was on the opening day roster in 2010.

Lefthander Antonio Bastardo did not throw with the rest of his group Tuesday and is still a little behind after suffering a minor injury during winter ball. Pitching coach Rich Dubee said Bastardo is expected to throw Thursday. . . . Manuel said he will try Wilson Valdez in the outfield during camp. Valdez could be the backup centerfielder. . . . Curt Schilling and Mike Lieberthal were added to the team's Wall of Fame ballot for 2011. Fan voting to select the final candidates began Tuesday on the team's Web site and concludes on March 15.

Mayberry hopes playing first base improves his chances. C4.

 Danys Baez looks to put bad year behind him. C5.