Veteran McCarty enjoying his time in Boston

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FORT MYERS, Fla. – Nonroster invitee.

Sounds more like someone who climbed the fence and snuck into the Boston Red Sox spring training facility rather than someone who was asked to come, but that’s the official term for a player of David McCarty’s status.

A major league baseball player for seven seasons, McCarty was invited back for a shot at his third straight year with the Red Sox. As a free agent, he had several opportunities and offers. And after earning that elusive World Series ring last season, it would have been understandable – if not expected – for him to seek greener fields elsewhere.

So when the time came to decide, he opted to wear Red Sox again.

“A lot of times, I’ve found in my experience it’s better for veteran bench guys to go with a good team than a young or rebuilding team because those young teams may not be in playoff contention and would rather have a young guy on their bench they can check out to see what he’s got,” the Houston native explained after taking batting practice Friday morning in 82-degree weather. “A good, veteran team like this is more concerned with winning games as opposed to developing players.”

There were other reasons for choosing Boston.

“It’s nice when you have a good group of guys like this and Boston’s a great town. I love playing there, so this was my first choice,” he said. “It was a great fit last year and it could be again this year.”

Sure, there are a lot of reasons for McCarty to choose Boston over other cities, but even with the offseason trade of Gold Glove first baseman Doug Mientkiewicz, the Red Sox first baseman-designated hitter-outfielder is once again a crowded house.

McCarty is one of four infielders with a “1B” after their names on the 35-man roster, which has to be trimmed to 25 by April 3. David Ortiz and Kevin Millar aren’t going anywhere as the starters at DH and first base, respectively. That leaves McCarty, fellow NRI Roberto Petagine, and third baseman Kevin Youkilis, who’s also working out at first.

Still, the 35-year-old McCarty is optimistic.

“I’m just trying to get myself ready by seeing some pitches and getting my swing down. Having [Sox manager] Terry Francona here was nice because we’d been together in Oakland,” said McCarty. “There isn’t pressure to come down here and hit .300 with a bunch of home runs, but at the same time you want to get your swing where it needs to be so you feel good going into the season.”

His familiarity with Francona aside, McCarty has other things going for him: his ability to play the outfield and a newfound ability to serve as a pitcher.

That’s right. The 6-foot-5, 210-pound lefthander made three appearances on the mound last year, allowing one earned run, two hits, and one walk in 3 2/3 innings. He also racked up four strikeouts and worked a 1-2-3 inning vs. Los Angeles.

The man-of-all-trades didn’t play at all Friday. In 13 games this spring, he’s hitting .148 with 27 at-bats and one RBI.

McCarty caught up with some former teammates and several old friends when the Sox hosted Minnesota at sunny City of Palms Park Friday.

“Yeah, I know a few guys over there,” McCarty said. “I always keep an eye on them, especially some of the guys who were young when I was breaking in like Jacque Jones and Torii Hunter. I follow how they’re doing.”

McCarty, who credits Twins stars like Kirby Puckett, Kent Hrbek, and Dave Winfield for teaching him how to approach the game, remains philosophical about his backup battle.

“If they want to go with me, great, and if not, that’s the way the game goes,” he said.

Schilling shuffle

Curt Schilling was a surprise starter Friday as the Red Sox opted to go with him on the mound against the Twins instead of Matt Clement, the originally scheduled starter who had already faced the Twins three times this spring.

Clement drove a couple of miles down Edison Road to the Red Sox player development complex and pitched against the Baltimore Orioles’ Triple-A Ottawa team instead.

So how did they do?

Schilling reported no problems after throwing 3 2/3 innings. The Sox staff’s ace issued two walks and notched two strikeouts while allowing five hits and three earned runs. He threw 40 of his 66 pitches for strikes.

Clement was almost untouchable as he pitched five innings of one-hit, scoreless ball, walking no batters and striking out eight. He threw 47 of 74 pitches for strikes.

Mayoral March madness

The annual Mayor’s Cup spring training rivalry between the Red Sox and Twins will come down to the final day. With Friday’s 5-1 Twins victory, Minnesota leads the series 3-2 with one game left (Thursday), but a Boston win in the final game would give the Sox their second straight cup since 1999. A provision in the Mayor’s Cup charter that gives the reigning champion the win if the series is tied.

A win would also give Boston its fifth overall series title since its inception in 1993. The Twins lead the overall series 46-34 in terms of games won.

Twins let a Dog loose

Former Portland Sea Dog player Todd Dunwoody was reassigned by the Minnesota Twins Friday. The outfielder and 1996 Eastern League All-Star Game MVP has been sent to the team’s minor league camp and will then be likely designated for duty on the Twins’ Double A or Triple A teams in New Britain or Rochester, respectively. The 30-year-old lefthander played at Buffalo and Rochester last season.