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Astros sign pair of relievers to minor league deals
Jair Jurrjens and Brian Omogrosso both signed minor league deals as I made an effort to strengthen my bullpen. Jurrjens, 28, posted a 4.91 ERA in just 7 1/3 innings of work for Baltimore in 2013. I'm hoping he can return to his 2011 form, where he had a 2.96 ERA over 23 starts with Atlanta.
"Well, I have to say I'm flattered by the way you (Houston) chased me," Jurrjens said. "I'm going to enjoy being a member of the Astros. Let's go win a championship!"
Omogrosso, 29, went 0-2 with a 9.37 ERA in 16 1/3 innings in 2013 for the White Sox. It was a complete disaster compared to his 2012 season, where he held a 2.57 ERA over 21 innings. He was never fully healthy in '13, Baseball America reports.
"“(The pain) persisted throughout the whole season, for the most part,” Omogrosso said. “I tried to pitch through it because I’ve had such a long history with injuries, and I really couldn’t afford to be sidelined... It finally got the point where I couldn’t bend my arm. I never bounced back.”
Omogrosso had to have surgery to shave down a bone spur and remove loose bodies from his elbow. However, he's now at 100% and gladly signed a minor league contract.
“Ultimately, I want to get back to where I was in 2012, if not better,” Omogrosso said. “I’m just looking to compete and show those guys I haven’t missed a beat."
Both are currently in the minors, but could earn a call up soon.
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