PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Marcus Giles' minor league contract was announced Wednesday by the Philadelphia Phillies, and the former All-Star second baseman was among nine players invited to spring training by the World Series champions.
Giles, who was out of the majors last year after being released by Colorado in spring training, provides another option for the World Series champions with second baseman Chase Utley and third baseman Pedro Feliz recovering from offseason operations.The 30-year-old Giles is a career .277 hitter with 76 homers and 333 RBIs in seven seasons, the first six spent with Atlanta and one with San Diego. Giles' best season was in 2003 when he hit .316 with 49 doubles, 21 homers and 69 RBIs. He batted .311 and .291 the following two seasons. Giles only hit .229 in '07 with the Padres.
Giles gets a $600,000, one-year deal if he's added to the 40-man roster. If he's not on the 25-man roster by July 1, the Phillies will release him if he asks them to do so.
Right-handed reliever Gary Majewski, who pitched for the Cincinnati Reds last year, also agreed to a minor league contract. He would get a $650,000, one-year contract if added to the 40-man roster.
Majewski was 1-0 with a 6.53 ERA in 37 appearances with the Reds. He's 9-13 with two saves and a 4.61 ERA in 229 games over five seasons with Montreal/Washington and Cincinnati.
Also invited to spring training were infield prospect Jason Donald, left-hander Antonio Bastardo, right-hander Yorman Bazardo, outfielders Jason Ellison and Jeremy Slayden, and catchers Tuffy Gosewisch and Paul Hoover.
