Jan. 7 -- NON-ROSTER INVITEES

BY SCOTT LAUBER

At last, a bit of news that doesn't involve J.C. Romero:

The Phillies have invited nine more non-40-man roster players to spring training, bringing the total to 19. No surprises on the list, which includes top infield prospect Jason Donald (right) and veteran second baseman Marcus Giles, who signed a minor-league contract with the Phils yesterday. You'll also note the inclusion of Jason Ellison, a right-handed-hitting outfielder who is a .251 hitter in 344 major-league games with the Giants, Mariners, Reds and Rangers and should provide depth. If you're a follower of the Lehigh Valley IronPigs, most of these players will be there. On paper, at least, it figures to be a stronger team than last season.

Here's the full non-roster group, with their '08 stats:

Antonio Bastardo, LHP: 4-5, 2.95 ERA at Clearwater/Reading
Yorman Bazardo, RHP: 4-13, 6.72 ERA at Toledo (triple-A Tigers)
Dave Borkowski, RHP: 0-2, 7.50 ERA for Houston Astros
Mike Cervenak, INF: .311, 10 HR, 66 RBI at Lehigh Valley
Ozzie Chavez, SS: .223, 3 HR, 29 RBI at Nashville (triple-A Brewers)
Jason Donald, INF: .307, 14 HR, 54 RBI at Reading
Jason Ellison, OF: .239, 2 HR, 45 RBI at Oklahoma (triple-A Rangers)
J.J. Furmaniak, INF: .292, 15 HR, 51 RBI at Scottsdale (triple-A Athletics)
Marcus Giles, INF: Did not play
Tuffy Gosewisch, C: .218, 3 HR, 34 RBI at Clearwater
Paul Hoover, C: .251, 6 HR, 19 RBI at Alburquerque (triple-A Marlins)
Mike Koplove, RHP: 2-1, 3.46 ERA at Las Vegas (triple-A Dodgers)
Justin Lehr, RHP: 6-2, 2.10 ERA at Louisville (triple-A Reds)
Gary Majewski, RHP: 1-0, 6.53 ERA with Cincinnati Reds
Blaine Neal, RHP: 1-0, 1.21, 21 SVS at Toledo (triple-A Tigers)
Jeremy Slayden, OF: .298, 17 HR, 81 RBI at Reading
Terry Tiffee, 3B: .378, 9 HR, 69 RBI at Las Vegas (triple-A Dodgers)
Andy Tracy, 1B: .288, 22 HR, 85 RBI at Lehigh Valley
Chris Walker, OF: .257, 1 HR, 27 RBI at Salt Lake (triple-A Angels)

(In case you're wondering, top pitching prospect Carlos Carrasco and blue-chip catcher Lou Marson already are on the 40-man roster, and thus, already invited to spring training. Minor-league pitchers Joe Bisenius, Drew Carpenter, Sergio Escalona, Robert Mosebach, Drew Naylor, Scott Nestor and Mike Zagurski, catcher Joel Naughton, infielder Brad Harman and outfielder John Mayberry also are on the 40-man.)

Now, without further ado, please continue your discussion of Romero's suspension.

(Associated Press photo)