The Indians have released left-hander Joe Thatcher, as announced by the club’s Triple-A affiliate (Twitter link). Thatcher had signed a minor league deal with the Tribe last month.
This is the third time since last March that Thatcher has been released, and the second time Cleveland has parted ways with the veteran southpaw. Thatcher signed a minors deal with the Tribe in the offseason but was released at the end of Spring Training, then caught on with the Dodgers in late April before another release in June. He hasn’t pitched in the majors this season, as his 2016 stats consist of a 3.60 ERA over 17 innings with the Dodgers’ Triple-A team.
Thatcher’s nine-year MLB career has seen him post a 3.38 ERA, 2.97 K/BB rate and 9.3 K/9 over 260 2/3 innings with the Padres, Diamondbacks, Angels and Astros. He put good numbers (3.18 ERA, 10.3 K/9, 2.17 K/BB rate) over 22 frames with Houston last season, though he didn’t quite display his usual dominance against left-handed hitters.
Totally confused with this move? why bring him back after he was released by Dodgers just to release him again? We have no reliable LHp in our M.L Bullpen besides MillerTime.
MillerTime? Is that seriously his nickname?
He requested his release instead of reporting to Triple-A, and the Tribe accommodated.
The Angels will pick him up again…