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Phillies sign Bush, Purcey, and Lerud to minor-league deals

The Phillies invited three players to spring training Friday, including righthander Dave Bush, a Conestoga graduate. In addition to Bush, lefthander David Purcey and catcher Steven Lerud signed minor-league deals with invitations to big-league camp.

David Purcey went 1-2 with a 5.61 ERA between the Blue Jays, Athletics and Tigers in 2011. (Paul Sancya/AP)
David Purcey went 1-2 with a 5.61 ERA between the Blue Jays, Athletics and Tigers in 2011. (Paul Sancya/AP)Read more
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The Phillies invited three players to spring training Friday, including righthander Dave Bush, a Conestoga graduate. In addition to Bush, lefthander David Purcey and catcher Steven Lerud signed minor-league deals with invitations to big-league camp.

Bush, 32, likely projects as the top starter in the triple-A Lehigh Valley rotation. Signed late in 2011, he made four starts for the IronPigs. He has pitched in parts of eight seasons with three major-league teams.

Purcey, 29, pitched in 33 games with Toronto, Oakland, and Detroit in 2011. He posted a 5.61 ERA as a reliever, and lefties hit .327 against him.

Lerud could play at either Lehigh Valley or double-A Reading, depending on where the Phillies place Tuffy Gosewisch, another spring-training invitee. Lerud, 27, has played just nine games above double A.

The Phillies have invited 11 non-roster players to spring training.

- Matt Gelb