Roster Moves (5/23): Maxwell, Braddock, Halama, and more
By Wally Fish
Most of the time, I hope to get this published in the morning between dropping the kids off at school and getting into SLHS mode (day job). That obviously didn’t happen today, thanks to a PTO day from work and a home project I have been neglecting. We will see how I do tomorrow, but first here is a recap of the roster moves made on Sunday, May 23rd.
The Los Angeles Dodgers signed RHP-Jon Huber (28) to a minor league contract. He last pitched in the majors during the 2007 season with the Mariners. In 28.0 innings in the bigs, he has a 2.57 ERA, 3.36 FIP, 1.50 WHIP, and 2.00 SO/BB. Huber spent 2008 in Triple-A and 2009 in Triple-A and the Independent Atlantic League. He is primarily a two pitch guy featuring a low-90s fastball and a plus slider. He also mixes in a below average curveball from time to time.
Oakland Athletics signed LHP-John Halama (38) to a minor league contract. If your reaction to this news is “I thought he was retired” you and I think alike. Halama last pitched in the majors back in 2006 and has spent the last 2 years pitching in Triple-A (198.0 innings) and the Independent Atlantic League (125.2 innings). Over nine seasons he has accumulated a 4.65 ERA, 4.64 FIP, 1.45 WHIP and 1.78 SO/BB in 911.0 big league innings.
Milwaukee Brewers optioned LHP-Mitch Stetter (29) to Triple-A Nashville. LHP-Zach Braddock (22) was called up from Triple-A to take his place. Braddock, the Brewers #7 prospect, made his major league debut yesterday and pitched 2 scoreless innings. His pitch arsenal includes a low-90s fastball that can reach 95 to 96 mph as well as a plus-slider and an improving cutter. In 75.1 IP, Stetter had been very effective in his major league tenure putting up an ERA+ of 132 in 2007, 134 in 2008, and 113 in 2009. With a 14.73 ERA, 2.73 WHIP and ERA+ of 30, this season has been a much different story. In Stetter’s defense, the small 3.2 inning sample size surely has a lot to do with the inflated numbers.
The New York Mets activated RHP-Ryota Igarashi (30) from the 15-day disabled list. To make room for him, they optioned RHP-Manny Acosta (29) to Triple-A Buffalo. Igarashi came over from Japan and was signed for $1.25 million this offseason. He made his major league debut on April 8th and made another 6 appearances before hitting the DL. His return to the mound last night did not go smoothly as he allowed 3 ER, 2 H and 1 BB in 0.1 IP against the Yankees. As for Acosta, he has been effective with the Mets. He heads to the minors with a 3.00 ERA, 4.78 FIP, 1.33 WHIP and 10.5 SO/9 in 12.0 big league innings.
OF-Justin Maxwell (26) was recalled from Triple-A Syracuse and will rejoin the Washington Nationals. The team’s #8 prospect entering the season, he hit 0.154/.395/.308 in 38 plate appearances before being sent down in early May. Despite the low batting average he did manage to get on base at a well above average pace thanks to 11 walks.
C-Chris Coste (37), of the Washington Nationals, underwent Tommy John surgery and is out for season. He was born in Fargo, North Dakota and attended Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota. For me, that is reason enough to root for the guy but it gets amplified thanks to the fact that he kept the dream alive in the minors to finally make his big league debut in 2006 at the tender age of 33. He’s been a pretty good major league player to boot with a line of 0.272/.329/.416 in 299 games.
Milwaukee Brewers 3B-Mat Gamel (24) was shifted from the 15-day to the 60-day DL as he works his way back from a right shoulder tear. The team’s 4th round pick in the 2005 draft, Gamel entered the season as the Brewers #3 prospect.
Jose Lima (37) died of a “massive” heart attack yesterday, but Lima Time will endure forever. “Believe It!”
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