Phillies recalled OF John Mayberry from Triple-A Lehigh Valley.

Mayberry was just optioned Friday, but he'll be back for a few days while Ross Gload is on the paternity-leave list. The outfielder is hitting .231 to go along with three home runs and 12 RBI over 104 at-bats this season.

Phillies optioned OF John Mayberry to Triple-A Lehigh Valley.

With Shane Victorino coming off the disabled list today and Domonic Brown showing signs of promise, Mayberry became the odd man out in the Phillies outfield. The 2005 first round draft pick has been reasonably productive in 104 at-bats this season, hitting .231 to go along with three home runs and 12 RBI, and should be back in the big leagues sooner rather than later.

John Mayberry Jr. is in the starting lineup for the fourth straight game Wednesday.

This time he'll start in place of the struggling Ben Francisco in right field. Michael Martinez will play center field for a second straight day while Raul Ibanez is back in left field.

John Mayberry had a huge game in the Phillies loss to the Braves on Sunday, going 1-for-2 with a home run, two RBI, two walks and a stolen base.

A big day for Mayberry, who was making his first start since May 5. Although it's nice to see him continue to produce in a reserve role, he doesn't appear poised for an increase in at-bats any time soon.

Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said John Mayberry is not in a platoon with Raul Ibanez in left field despite Mayberry's proficiency against left-handers thus far.

Mayberry boasts a 1.132 OPS in 16 at-bats against southpaws this season, while Ibanez's mark is .558 in 22 at-bats. It's worth noting, though, that Ibanez, who is hitless in his last 30 at-bats, has actually struggled more against right-handers this year and in his career doesn't have a big platoon split. Manuel did indicate that Mayberry could play his way into more playing time. "The more he hits, the more chances he'll get," Manuel said. "We'll go from there. Right now, I haven't really made my mind up about a platoon system yet. At the same time, I could be working him in. He can play different positions than left field, too."

John Mayberry Jr. hit a game-tying home run in Saturday's win over the Mets.

It was his first home run of the season. Mayberry started in left field in place of Raul Ibanez, who is hitless over his past 30 at-bats. He should continue to steal at-bats away, at least against left-handers, so keep an eye on him in NL-only leagues.

Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said he's looking to get John Mayberry more playing time.

Mayberry is 6-for-16 at the dish in limited playing time this season. With Raul Ibanez in a 7-for-48 slide at the plate, Mayberry could start cutting into the veteran's playing time a bit, particularly against left-handers. Southpaw Wade LeBlanc is expected to start for the Padres Sunday, and Mayberry is likely to be in left field.

Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said Monday that John Mayberry has a shot of opening the 2011 season on the club's big league roster.

"John Mayberry was a high draft pick and he has skills," the manager said. "He's like a deer when he's running. He's faster than you think he is. He needs to get a little more aggressive." The 27-year-old will have to really put on a show this spring to beat out Domonic Brown and Ben Francisco for the Phillies' opening in right field. If he makes the Opening Day roster, it will probably be as a backup corner outfielder and first baseman.

John Mayberry tallied only two at-bats in the Arizona Fall League this year because of a leg injury.

Mayberry suffered the injury in his first AFL game. He was hoping to put on a show in the prospect-packed fall league with the aim of landing a spot on the Phillies' bench for 2011, but the 26-year-old outfielder faces a real uphill battle. He finished with a pedestrian .267/.328/.412 batting line, 15 home runs and 65 RBI for Triple-A Lehigh Valley this past season.

Phillies assistant GM Chuck LaMar said this next spring training will be "huge" for John Mayberry.

"It is to the point where he needs to compete for a job," LaMar said. "His pedigree and his physical ability go without saying. It's time for him to get the job done." The former first-round pick will compete for a bench job, but the Phils are poised to go with Ben Francisco as their primary right-handed hitter off the bench, with Domonic Brown taking over for Jayson Werth in right field.

Phillies recalled OF John Mayberry Jr. from Triple-A Lehigh Valley.

Mayberry finished off the IronPigs' season batting .267/.328/.412 with 15 home runs and 65 RBI. The 26-year-old outfielder was 0-for-2 in a brief stint with the Phillies last month. He'll function as bench depth.

Phillies recalled OF John Mayberry from Triple-A Lehigh Valley.

Mayberry takes the place of Ryan Howard on the 25-man roster. The 26-year-old outfielder was batting .258/.321/.410 with 12 homers and 54 RBI in 383 at-bats with Triple-A Lehigh this season. Though he has almost exclusively played the outfield during his professional career, Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. didn't discount the possibility that he could also get a look at first base.