Edward Mujica Requests, Receives Release From Phillies

The Phillies have released veteran reliever Edward Mujica upon his request, per a club announcement. Signed to a minor league deal over the winter, Mujica has been pitching at Triple-A.

Mujica, a 32-year-old righty, has turned in solid results at the minors’ highest level but has yet to receive a big league opportunity in 2016. Over 39 frames, he owns a 3.69 ERA with 6.2 K/9 and has issued only four free passes.

That formula has worked for Mujica in the past in the majors, as he carried a lifetime 3.75 ERA with 7.2 K/9 against 1.4 BB/9 when he hit the open market after the 2013 season. Since signing with the Red Sox in the ensuing winter, though, things haven’t gone as well. Over his last 107 1/3 MLB frames, Mujica has allowed 4.28 earned per nine, with particularly rough results last year.

It’s somewhat notable that the Phils didn’t see fit to give Mujica a shot in their pen, since the team had every incentive to see if he can pitch his way into a trade piece. Nevertheless, he looks like a reasonable bet to provide some solid innings to an organization that’s in need of bullpen options.