Bombers bits

Catcher John Ryan Murphy was optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Tuesday, leaving Francisco Cervelli and Austin Romine to battle for the role of Brian McCann's backup. Cervelli is believed to be in the lead, enjoying a spring that has seen him hit .455 with four homers and seven RBIs.

"He's played extremely well," Girardi said. "I'll announce it when the time is right, but he's played extremely well."