The Indians have announced a minor-league deal with lefty James Russell, as Tommy Stokke of Fan Rag first tweeted. It includes an invitation to MLB camp.
Russell, 31, saw limited action in the Phillies pen last year, surrendering nine runs on nine hits in his 4 1/3 major league frames. He spent the bulk of the season at Triple-A, even returning to a starting role briefly. There, he threw 79 2/3 innings of 4.29 ERA ball with 5.5 K/9 and 2.1 BB/9.
Of course, Russell has a much more extensive MLB track record prior to the 2016 campaign. He was once a mainstay in the Cubs’ relief corps, and owns a lifetime 4.09 ERA across over three hundred major league frames. Russell has generally struggled against right-handed hitters in his career, allowing them a cumulative .808 OPS, while holding opposing lefties to a .700 mark.
There’s the story I was looking for. Hoping Mickey Callaway can help him step up his game.
I always liked him, and its a bummer to see that he’s flopped the past couple of years.
I don’t think he had his player mugshot in mind when he made the decision to go with a big beard and long hair
What’s really scary is that he looks like a twin of Chris Perez.
Let’s hope he doesn’t have the same type of dog that Chris Perez had!. -laughs-
Yeah, I laughed, too.
Thought Kenny F’n Powers got signed for a second.