Seven veterans invited to Phillies camp

The Phillies will bring seven nonroster invitees to spring training in Clearwater, Fla., all with some major league experience, including two who played with the team last season.

Catcher Paul Hoover and infielder Andy Tracy, who spent most of last season with Triple A Lehigh Valley and had brief runs with the big club, will be joined by outfielders Chris Duffy and De-Wayne Wise, infielders Cody Ransom and Wilson Valdez, and lefthander Bill White.

Hoover, 33, spent most of September with the Phils as the third catcher behind Carlos Ruiz and Paul Bako. He had three hits in only four at-bats.

Tracy, 36, slammed 26 home runs and drove in 96 runs for the IronPigs. He played nine games with the Phillies, going 4-for-8 as a pinch-hitter.

Duffy, 29, opened the season with Milwaukee. In 212 career games with the Brewers and Pittsburgh, he has hit .262.

Wise, 31, is remembered for his leaping catch in the ninth inning that preserved Mark Buehrle's perfect game for the White Sox last July. He played in 84 games, hitting .225 with two homers and 11 RBI. He also has played with Toronto, the Braves and Cincinnati.

Ransom, 33, split last season between the Yankees and Triple A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. He was New York's starting third base-man on Opening Day while Alex Rodriguez recovered from hip surgery. Ransom hit .190 with 10 RBI in 31 games for the Yanks, 18 as their starting third baseman.

Valdez, 32, has spent time with the White Sox, Dodgers and played 41 games for the Mets last season, batting .256.

White, 31, did not pitch in professional baseball last season. He pitched in eight games for the Texas Rangers in 2008.