Diamondbacks sign Jorge De La Rosa to minor league deal
Feb 19, 2017, 11:53 AM | Updated: 5:32 pm
Colorado Rockies pitcher Jorge De La Rosa throws during the third inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2016, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)
(AP Photo/Matt York)
The Arizona Diamondbacks made another signing in an attempt to bolster their needed bullpen, signing left-handed pitcher Jorge De La Rosa to a minor-league deal with a spring training invite.
De La Rosa. 35, signed with the D-backs in 1998 as a non-drafted free agent. He made his major league debut in 2003 with the Milwaukee Brewers and has enjoyed a 13-year career with three different teams. In 306 games, he’s 101-84 with a 4.64 ERA.
He played for the Rockies from 2008 to 2016, and during that time, De La Rosa posted the third-best winning percentage at home, behind Tommy Hunter and Zack Greinke. Last season in Colorado he went 8-9 with a 5.51 ERA with 63 walks and 108 strikeouts.
De La Rosa showed what he could do with limited work as a reliever last season. In eight innings facing 26 batters, he allowed only one run and three hits with 10 strikeouts.
De La Rosa will make $2.25 million if he makes the roster, with $1 million in starter incentives and $600,000 in bullpen incentives. He’ll compete for a spot in the pen, an area where the D-backs are in desperate need of help. Arizona’s relievers posted a 4.94 ERA last season, fourth-worst in the majors.
The team has been trying to bolster its depth, signing five other pitchers, including two left-handers, in the last week. The group will compete during spring training for a spot on the roster.
The D-backs open their spring schedule on Feb. 25 against De La Rosa’s former team, the Rockies.
