The Mariners announced four minor league signings today, including 27-year-old knuckleball pitcher Charlie Haeger, who made some history with the Los Angeles Dodgers in April.
Besides Haeger, the Mariners signed left-handed pitcher Fabio Castro, right-hander Chris Smith and utility infielder Luis Rodriguez. All will get invitations to the major league spring training camp.
Haeger struck out 12 Florida Marlins on April 11, the most by a Dodgers pitcher in his first start of the season since Don Drysdale did it in 1960. Haeger then went on to produce an un-Drysdale-like season, going 0-4 with an 8.40 earned run average in six starts. He also has pitched for the White Sox and Padres, going a combined 2-7, 6.40.
Castro, 25, is 0-1, 3.30 in 30 big-league games with the Rangers and Phillies since 2006. This year he was 7-8, 4.93 in 31 games with Boston’s Class AAA Pawtucket club.
Rodriguez, 30, has started at every infield position in 363 major league games with the Twins and Padres from 2005-09. He batted .293 with 16 home runs and 56 RBI last year with the Chicago White Sox’ Class AAA Charlotte team.
Smith, 29, led the Pacific Coast League with 26 saves this year and was 4-3, 3.56 with the Brewers’ Class AAA Nashville team. He played in the majors in each of the past three seasons with the Red Sox and Brewers, and is 1-0, 5.19 in 50 career appearances. Opponents batted .232 off him in 35 appearances in 2009 with the Brewers.
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