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The Angels have signed left-hander Dontrelle Willis, the Long Island Ducks of the independent Atlantic League have announced. I assume it is a minor league contract.
“Dontrelle has been outstanding on the mound this season,” said Ducks president and GM Michael Pfaff in a statement. "We wish him the best of luck with the Angels organization.”
Willis, 31, last pitched in the big leagues with the Reds in 2011. The 2003 NL Rookie of the Year made four appearances in Triple-A with the Orioles last year before announcing his retirement. He attempted a comeback with the Cubs in spring training before winding up in indy ball.
In 12 starts with the Ducks, Willis went 5-4 with a 2.57 ERA and 1.38 WHIP in 87 2/3 innings. He struck out 52 batters while walking 43, a ratio that does not bode well going forward. Willis went 1-6 with a 5.00 ERA in 13 starts for Cincinnati in 2011.
The Angels are desperate for pitching help and depth at the moment, as they rank 27th in baseball with a team 4.32 ERA. Their starters (4.40 ERA) have been quite a bit worse than their relievers (4.17 ERA) this year.
Willis has battled a number of injuries in recent years, including forearm, back, knee and shoulder issues. He also missed most of 2009 while dealing with anxiety disorder. Willis was last an above-average pitcher with the Marlins in 2006 (112 ERA+), two years before he was traded to the Tigers with Miguel Cabrera.
The Ducks are essentially the Yankees of the independent leagues, signing every big name they come across. Former big leaguers currently on their roster include Ian Snell, Ramon Castro, Bill Hall and Josh Barfield.
http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/blog/ey...pendent-league
“Dontrelle has been outstanding on the mound this season,” said Ducks president and GM Michael Pfaff in a statement. "We wish him the best of luck with the Angels organization.”
Willis, 31, last pitched in the big leagues with the Reds in 2011. The 2003 NL Rookie of the Year made four appearances in Triple-A with the Orioles last year before announcing his retirement. He attempted a comeback with the Cubs in spring training before winding up in indy ball.
In 12 starts with the Ducks, Willis went 5-4 with a 2.57 ERA and 1.38 WHIP in 87 2/3 innings. He struck out 52 batters while walking 43, a ratio that does not bode well going forward. Willis went 1-6 with a 5.00 ERA in 13 starts for Cincinnati in 2011.
The Angels are desperate for pitching help and depth at the moment, as they rank 27th in baseball with a team 4.32 ERA. Their starters (4.40 ERA) have been quite a bit worse than their relievers (4.17 ERA) this year.
Willis has battled a number of injuries in recent years, including forearm, back, knee and shoulder issues. He also missed most of 2009 while dealing with anxiety disorder. Willis was last an above-average pitcher with the Marlins in 2006 (112 ERA+), two years before he was traded to the Tigers with Miguel Cabrera.
The Ducks are essentially the Yankees of the independent leagues, signing every big name they come across. Former big leaguers currently on their roster include Ian Snell, Ramon Castro, Bill Hall and Josh Barfield.
http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/blog/ey...pendent-league
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