Mets, Phillies, Red Sox Notes

METS

- With Jose Reyes sidelined, David Murphy, Jason Bay, and David Wright look to be the most likely to bat third in the line-up.

- Alex Cora and non-roster invitee Rueben Tejada are in heated competition for the final bench spot. Cora should win because of his experience and Tejada should be headed to the minors to work on his defense (21 errors in AA).

PHILLIES

- The Phils sent 14 down to minors camp: Pitchers - Phillipe Aumont, Yohan Flande, Scott Mathieson, J.C. Ramirez, Drew Naylor, Joe Savery, Jesus Sanchez and Bill White. Positon players include: Catchers Tuffy Gosewisch, Joe Sumoi and Kevin Nelson, INF Freddy Galvis, and OF's Tyson Gillies and Quintin Berry.

- Brad Lidge and J.C. Romero are hoping to make Opening Day, but the organization doesn't want to rush their return.

RED SOX

- Josh Beckett was scratched from his start due to illness today. Ryne Miller will take his place and Jason Varitek will make his first start this spring training.

- The Sox sent 14 down to the minors including young studs Casey Kelly and Jose Iglesias. Both had successful springs, but have more work to put in. Other players sent down are: Pitchers Adam Mills, Kris Johnson, Kyle Weiland, Radnor Bierd, and Robert Manuel, OF's Ryan Kalish and Che-Hsuan Lin, catcher Luis Exposito, and INF Yamaico Navarro.

- OF prospect Ryan Westmoreland will have brain surgery this week to fix a rare vascular disease diagnosed as a "cavernous malformation." It is unclear if this is detrimental to his career, but it can be deadly if left untreated.

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