The Diamondbacks have released veteran lefty Antonio Bastardo, per a club announcement. He had inked a minors deal with the organization back in January. That move was one among several that give some shape to the club’s pitching plans for the 2018 season.
Also departing MLB camp were righties Neftali Feliz and Jimmie Sherfy, the latter via optional assignment. Veteran position players Jeremy Hazelbaker and Christian Walker were also optioned, while backstop Anthony Recker was reassigned.
Bastardo and Feliz both landed with the Arizona organization in hopes of launching career turnarounds. The former would have earned a $1.5MM salary in the majors, with a hefty $4MM incentives package also available. Instead, neither player will have a MLB job out of camp — at least with the D-Backs.
The 32-year-old Bastardo certainly ought to have a chance to catch on elsewhere. After all, he turned in good results this spring, racking up nine strikeouts against just one walk in his 5 2/3 innings of action (though also surrendering two long balls). Though he struggled badly in 2017, Bastardo has long been a useful major-league reliever.
As for Feliz, 29, he’s also coming off of a rough campaign in which he managed only a 5.48 ERA over 46 innings. He seemed a reasonable bounceback target given his strong 2016 output, but has struggled in camp. In six innings, Feliz has been tagged for six earned runs on ten hits while recording just three strikeouts to go with three walks.
at some point this year, he’ll be in a pirates uniform
Those dirty Antonios
Nice variance.
Not sure which one you mean.Harvey,but I doubt very much either will be.Bastardo wore out his welcome,and Feliz seems to be washed up based on spring training results and last several years except for 2016.The Pirates have several new young relievers acquired through trades and a couple of recent signings.They also have two young guys slotted for AAA who both seem to be capable.
Surprising to not go into the season witht his guy in the roster as a specialist. Red Sox should take a flyer.
Don’t want either pitcher in Boston. I can see FL taking a cheap flyer on Bastardo, hoping he has a decent season where they can flip him for a minor league prospect. Low level like a power arm that has big control issues.
I can see that, but why would you not take a look with Boston? Throw him in some non high leverage situations, see what he’s got. Lefty specialist last forever in MLB and this guy has been good before.
Sad to see Sherfy get optioned. He looked great in September last year and he looks like a future back end reliever
I thought Lovullo was a big fan of Sherfy. I’m surprised to see him go down. I don’t know how he looked this spring though.
No way the Braves don’t grab Feliz.
My thoughts exactly I don’t know about Hernandez but under McDowell the Braves knew had to rejuvenate an arm
Bastardo seemed to have a pretty good Spring Training.