Sunday, March 15, 2009

Padres sign Sanchez to provide depth for bullpen

Sunday March 15, 2009

Today the Padres signed former Met righty Duaner Sanchez to a minor league contract.

Sanchez, who was waived by the Mets earlier this month, was a very effective reliever before being injured in a taxi accident in 2006.

He has struggled through 2 shoulder operations in 2 years and missed the entire 2007 season. He has never fully recovered the velocity and control he showed earlier in his career. Even with the injuries, Sanchez appeared in 66 games for the Mets with a 4.32 ERA and a 1.32 whip. He was particualarly effective against left handed batters, limiting them to a .200 BAA.

If healthy, (there is that statement that is heard so often in regards to the Padres) Sanchez could compete for a late innings spot in the Padres bullpen.