Pitcher Nelson Figueroa was claimed by the Phillies, reports ESPN's Adam Rubin. The Phils' interest in Figueroa was revealed Monday by ESPN's Jayson Stark after the Mets placed him on waivers Friday. Figueroa had the ability to elect free agency if he cleared waivers. According to Stark, Figueroa was considering Japan if a big league opportunity didn't surface.
In 70.3 innings last year, Figueroa posted a 4.09 ERA with 7.5 K/9 and 3.1 BB/9 for the Mets. This marks his second stint with the Phillies, as he tossed 89 innings for the '01 club after coming over as part of the Curt Schilling deal. The Phillies are dealing with a handful of pitching injuries, with Joe Blanton, Brad Lidge, and J.C. Romero on the shelf.
I’m pretty happy that the Phillies claimed him. Go Nelson and show the world what you can do. Too bad the Mets didn’t give you a realistic chance.
Good signing for the rest of the NL East, he’ll blow some leads.
They’ve already filled the existing holes (Blanton->Kendrick, Kendrick (bullpen)->Carpenter, Romero->Bastardo, Lidge->Herndon (not closing obviously, but taking the roster spot)), all I can think is they’re planning to send Carpenter back down to get more PT.
I’m still concerned with what they’ll do about Herndon once everyone gets back…he’s looked really good and is Rule 5. Maybe they’ll be smart and DFA Contreras, he’s been just awful.
So Figueroa gets claimed by the Phillies, Brandon Duckworth is already in Lehigh Valley…is Joe Roa available? Man is it tough to think about the days when they were considered the future of the Phils.
more proof that Omar has an anti-Latino bias…o wait…he kept Sean Green over Nelson…
never mind
hes going to pitch a no hiter against us (mets).
the sad part is: i agree. I have been lobbying for Figgy to make the team all off-season just so this wouldn’t happen. My question is; what if he doesn’t make the Phillies roster? Or gets sent down when someone comes off the DL? Will he accept a job in AAA or will he opt out and go to Japan? I guess it depends on his contract..
Smart move by the Phillies. I’d start him. Against the Mets. You can just guess how that’s going to go.
Waiver claims are what, $25,000? A smart, nothing to lose pick up.
Now does he need to be placed on the Major League roster, or can he be sent to the minors by the Phils? These things confuse me.
As I understand it, Figueroa needs to remain on the big league roster to stay with the team for now. If the Phils decide they want to send him to the minors, he will first have to clear waivers again.