The Padres announced that they claimed Jeff Fulchino off of waivers from the Astros and designated right-hander Pat Neshek for assignment. Fulchino is scheduled to join the Padres in San Diego tomorrow night.
Fulchino, 31, posted a 5.18 ERA with 8.5 K/9, 4.9 BB/9 and a 37.4% ground ball rate in 33 innings for the Astros this year. The right-hander has a career ERA of 4.74 with 8.2 K/9 and 3.9 BB/9 in 176 2/3 MLB innings since 2006 and his average fastball velocity is 93.4mph.
Neshek pitched 24 2/3 innings for the Padres after they claimed him off of waivers from the Twins in March. The side-arming 30-year-old posted a 4.01 ERA with 7.3 K/9 and 8.0 BB/9 with the Padres.
So the padres released Neshek to sign an older pitcher with inferior numbers?….
Once you look past the ERA to K/9 and BB/9 it is an improvement.
Fulchino had a good 2009 for the Astros – 82 innings out of the bullpen and a 3.40 ERA — very reliable in the 7th/8th innings as a setup man. However he’s had problems with injuries the last 2 years. He can still pitch, just needs to stay healthy and be given a chance. Not in Astros plans simply because of his age.
solid K/BB for Neshek