BY SCOTT LAUBERIn another sign that the Phillies are bracing for a possible April without Chase Utley, they have agreed to a minor-league contract with veteran infielder Pablo Ozuna, who will come to spring training as a non-roster invitee.
Ozuna, 34, batted .260 with one homer and nine RBIs in 68 games between the White Sox and Dodgers last season. He has been a utility infielder throughout his career, batting .282 in 309 games with the Marlins (2000, 2002), Rockies (2003), White Sox (2005-08) and Dodgers (2008). He got a career-high 203 at-bats for the White Sox in '05 and batted a career-high .328 for Chicago in '06. Short-term, he figures to join incumbent utility man Eric Bruntlett, non-roster veteran Marcus Giles and top prospect Jason Donald as potential options at second base if Utley (hip surgery in November) is unable to start the season on time. Long-term, Ozuna figures to play at triple-A Lehigh Valley and could push Bruntlett. Both Bruntlett and Ozuna have some experience in the outfield.
Also invited to spring training today: infielders Anthony Hewitt and Jorge Velandia and left-hander Jacob Woods. Hewitt, 19, was the Phillies' first-round pick last June, but batted only .197 with seven doubles, one homer and nine RBIs in the rookie-level Gulf Coast League. It has been the Phillies' policy over the past few years to invite their most recent first-round pick to major-league camp. Kyle Drabek was in camp in '07. Joe Savery was there last year. Like Ozuna, Velandia has major-league experience, 174 games worth with the Padres (1997), Athletics (1998-2000), Mets (2000-01, 2003), Rays (2007) and Indians (2008).
That brings the list of non-roster invitees to 23. Want to see a rundown of the previous 19? Click here.
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