Phillies Notes: Marson will rejoin Phils at spring training

Lou Marson, a former Phillies fourth-round pick who was once traded for Cliff Lee, will return to the organization in 2014 on a minor-league contract, providing catching depth.

Marson, 27, was among four players invited to spring training Wednesday by the Phillies. The others are outfielders Tony Gwynn Jr. and Dave Sappelt and righthander Sean O'Sullivan.

The Phillies traded Marson to Cleveland as part of a four-player package to acquire Lee in 2009. He languished while with the Indians, hitting just .217 with a .602 OPS in five seasons as a reserve. Marson figures to back up prospect Cameron Rupp at triple-A Lehigh Valley and provides depth there.

Marson appeared in eight games with the Phillies before the trade.

Gwynn, 31, is a player who has interested the Phillies in the past. He is the son of Hall of Famer Tony Gwynn, but his major-league success has been fleeting. He spent all of 2013 in the minors with Los Angeles. He has a career .630 OPS in 605 major-league games.

Sappelt, 26, appeared for the Cubs in each of the last three seasons and can play all three outfield positions. He is a career .251 hitter with a .644 OPS. O'Sullivan, 26, has logged 50 games (37 starts) in the majors with a 5.89 ERA. He could assume a spot in the IronPigs' rotation.

The Phillies promoted John Mizerock to serve as their assistant hitting coach next season. Mizerock, 53, was a coach with single-A Clearwater for the last three seasons.

Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said he wanted to hire a lefthanded hitter for another perspective. Mizerock replaces Wally Joyner, who left to become Detroit's hitting coach. The Punxsutawney, Pa., native spent five years in the majors as a coach with Kansas City, the most recent in 2009.

Charlie Manuel is expected to accept a role in the Phillies front office that would involve some minor-league hitting instruction, scouting and public relations. Amaro said he is still talking about details with Manuel.