--OF John Mayberry Jr. continues to impress the Phillies. Mayberry, who has a chance to make the team as a right-handed pinch hitter, belted a home run against Team Canada in an exhibition last week. Through March 5, Mayberry was 6-for-17 (.353) with one home run and a team-leading five RBIs in six Grapefruit League games. (His home run against Canada doesn't count among regular spring training stats.)

Mayberry, 25, was acquired from the Rangers in November for minor league OF Greg Golson, and manager Charlie Manuel and hitting coach Milt Thompson are working to help him become more consistent. They have opened his stance, making his feet more parallel, and they're trying to get him to get out in front of the ball. But Mayberry, 6-foot-6 and 230 pounds, also has shown a strong throwing arm and good speed because of his long stride.

"He has the total package," Thompson told the Philadelphia Daily News. "Great arm, power, speed -- and I think he's going to hit for average."

--SS Jimmy Rollins gave the Phillies a scare March 4 when MLB.com reported he had been suffering from stiffness in his back while working out with the United States' team for the World Baseball Classic. But, according to Rollins, there's nothing to worry about. Rollins said he has been suffering occasional stiffness on the right side of his back near a rib where he was pitch by a pitch several years ago during spring training. The discomfort usually subsides after he receives treatment from the Phillies' training staff.

"You have to keep manipulating it, stretching the shoulder out," he said.

Thus, for their peace of mind, the Phillies asked Rollins to go through his pregame stretching routine with their training staff March 5 before Team USA faced the Phils in an exhibition at Bright House Field. The condition hasn't hampered Rollins, who played nine innings against the Blue Jays on March 4 and most of the game against the Phillies.

--INF Jason Donald knows he has a chance to win a job with the Phillies. Maybe that's why he has been putting so much pressure on himself this spring. Donald, a top prospect who has been working out at second and third base, had only two hits in his first 15 spring training at-bats before he received a pep talk last week from manager Charlie Manuel and hitting coach Milt Thompson. Donald responded with a solo home run against Team USA.

"I think to say I was pressing is an understatement," Donald told the Philadelphia Daily News.

Donald, a natural shortstop, is a candidate to make the team if 2B Chase Utley (Nov. 24 hip surgery) or 3B Pedro Feliz (Nov. 20 back surgery) aren't ready to start the season.

--RHP Brad Lidge has been taking it slowly this spring after reporting some tightness in his right forearm. He recently threw in the bullpen, and he threw one inning in an intrasquad game on March 11. Lidge told the Phillies' Web site that he'd like to get into 10 spring training games before the season opener. But Lidge also missed all of spring training last year after having arthroscopic knee surgery, and he went 48-for-48 in save opportunities, including the playoffs.

"I felt for the first time this spring like I have a fighting chance at getting somebody out," Lidge told MLB.com after his first bullpen session. "Before I was wondering how I was going to do it. The tightness is pretty typical for me coming into spring training. I'm trying to throw in Colorado (at his home), but I can't get a ton of work in there. Then we come here, and I'm throwing a lot. I go through a phase where I have tightness and stiffness and deadness and all of the above."

--RHP Rodrigo Lopez signed a minor league contract with the Phillies, although he isn't expected to compete for a roster spot in spring training. Lopez, 33, will report to minor league camp when he finishes pitching for Mexico in the World Baseball Classic. Lopez has pitched in the majors for the Orioles and Rockies, going 65-65 with a 4.80 ERA. He didn't pitch in the majors last season after undergoing reconstructive elbow surgery in August 2007. He signed a minor league contract with the Braves last August but was released in November.

--Former Phillies LF Pat Burrell will be in attendance April 8 when the team hands out World Series rings.

Burrell wouldn't miss it.

"It works out to where (the Rays) are going to be in Boston," Burrell said. "The Phillies have a day game. We play at night. So, I'll be able to shoot on over and jump right back on a flight. It's just a coincidence. Fortunately for me, it worked out."

BY THE NUMBERS: 21 -- Victories in the past two seasons for RHP Kyle Kendrick, the slight favorite to win the Phillies' No. 5 starter job.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "(David Wright) is my locker-mate, and (Derek) Jeter comes and he's right between us. He comes in and says, 'They put me between you two to keep the peace.' He's right between us. Is that something?" -- SS Jimmy Rollins on his rivalry with the Mets and Team USA teammate David Wright.