Kiko Calero originally broke into the big leagues with the Cardinals back in 2003, and now he's trying to see if he can revive his career with them. SI.com's Jon Heyman reports that Calero will throw for the Cardinals as a tryout (on Twitter).
The 36-year-old right-hander signed a minor league contract with the Mets last year, only to be released. He then hooked on with the Dodgers only to be released yet again. In 25 Triple-A appearances last year, Kiko (whose real name is Enrique) posted a 7.03 ERA with 7.6 K/9 and 4.5 BB/9 in 32 innings.
Prior to last season, we heard that Calero, who pitched to a 1.95 ERA with 10.4 K/9 and 4.5 BB/9 in 60 innings with the Marlins in 2009, wasn't drawing much interest because his "medicals [were] so bad that everybody [was] wary." He's battled major shoulder injuries in the past.
The Cardinals are faced with the possibility of not having Adam Wainwright in 2011, and reliever Kyle McClellan is a candidate to fill his rotation spot. St. Louis could be looking at Calero as bullpen depth if they do go that route.
Not sure Dunc can fix this guy.
The prospect of McClellan finally getting a shot at starting excites me. In the wake of the Wainwright news, I’m hard pressed to find things to be happy about, but it’s long been speculated that McClellan should get the first crack if a spot opens up in the rotation.
Looks as if the Cards beat the Yankees to the punch on this one!
Hey he’s only 35! Give the kid a year or two!
would rather use Eduardo Sanchez or Adam Reifer.
Wonder what Bob Gibson is doing these days – My God
Used to like Kiko when he was with the A’s..
Love this news! Even if Calero is what… 400 years old? 😉 Seriously, tho. This could work out really well if Calero effectively replaces McClellan in the ‘pen and they slide Kyle into a SP role. Many STL fans have hoped McClellan would join the SP staff. Maybe Waino’s injury will finally force that move. I like it!