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Wow, I am surprised with Patterson being optioned to AAA after being labelled the #4 starter for so long and Swindell being designated for assignment. I'm glad the Dbacks didn't let Swindell's salary sway their decision to keep the better player.
Patterson sent down, Swindell on way out
By BOB BAUM, AP Sports Writer
March 29, 2003
PHOENIX (AP) -- The Arizona Diamondbacks optioned pitcher John Patterson to Triple-A Tucson and designated veteran reliever Greg Swindell for assignment on Saturday.
Manager Bob Brenly had said in February that he expected Patterson to e the No. 4 starter in the Diamondbacks' rotation, but the right-hander had an inconsistent spring.
That, coupled with 21-year-old Oscar Villarreal's strong showing, led to the decision to send Patterson down. Patterson, who said he was surprised and disappointed by the move, packed his gear and left Bank One Ballpark before Saturday's exhibition finale against the Chicago Cubs.
Patterson, 25, underwent elbow ligament-replacement surgery in 2000 and worked his way back last year. In two impressive stints with the Diamondbacks last season, he was 2-0 with a 3.23 ERA. He was 2-2 with a 4.64 ERA this spring.
Villarreal, a right-hander, was 1-1 with a 3.00 ERA in 18 innings this spring and was especially impressive in recent outings. He split last season with Double-A El Paso and Triple-A Tucson. He was a combined 6-3 with 125 strikeouts in 128 1-3 innings.
Villarreal said he had been told that he had made the Diamondbacks' big league roster as the fifth starter. That would mean former closer Byung-Hyun Kim would be elevated to the No. 4 starter.
The left-hander Swindell, a 16-year major-league veteran, was designated for assignment after Friday night's game against the Cubs. Over the next 10 days, Swindell can be traded or claimed by another team off waivers. After that period ends, he can be signed by another team as a free agent, and the Diamondbacks still would be liable for all but $300,000 of the $2.75 million he is guaranteed this season.
Swindell, 38, pitched four seasons with Arizona and was attempting to develop a knuckleball this spring to help prolong his career. He gave up one hit in one inning of relief Friday night. This spring, Swindell had no record with a 6.10 ERA in 10 1-3 innings.
Swindell was the No. 2 pick overall by Cleveland in the 1986 amateur draft and switched from starter to reliever in the mid-1990s. He has a 113-122 career record with a 3.86 ERA with Cleveland, Cincinnati, Houston, Minnesota, Boston and Arizona.
In other moves, catcher Robby Hammock was optioned to Triple-A Tucson. Outfielder Mark Little and relievers Ron Villone and Eddie Oropesa were assigned to the minors. All three had signed minor league contracts.
Wow, I am surprised with Patterson being optioned to AAA after being labelled the #4 starter for so long and Swindell being designated for assignment. I'm glad the Dbacks didn't let Swindell's salary sway their decision to keep the better player.
Patterson sent down, Swindell on way out
By BOB BAUM, AP Sports Writer
March 29, 2003
PHOENIX (AP) -- The Arizona Diamondbacks optioned pitcher John Patterson to Triple-A Tucson and designated veteran reliever Greg Swindell for assignment on Saturday.
Manager Bob Brenly had said in February that he expected Patterson to e the No. 4 starter in the Diamondbacks' rotation, but the right-hander had an inconsistent spring.
That, coupled with 21-year-old Oscar Villarreal's strong showing, led to the decision to send Patterson down. Patterson, who said he was surprised and disappointed by the move, packed his gear and left Bank One Ballpark before Saturday's exhibition finale against the Chicago Cubs.
Patterson, 25, underwent elbow ligament-replacement surgery in 2000 and worked his way back last year. In two impressive stints with the Diamondbacks last season, he was 2-0 with a 3.23 ERA. He was 2-2 with a 4.64 ERA this spring.
Villarreal, a right-hander, was 1-1 with a 3.00 ERA in 18 innings this spring and was especially impressive in recent outings. He split last season with Double-A El Paso and Triple-A Tucson. He was a combined 6-3 with 125 strikeouts in 128 1-3 innings.
Villarreal said he had been told that he had made the Diamondbacks' big league roster as the fifth starter. That would mean former closer Byung-Hyun Kim would be elevated to the No. 4 starter.
The left-hander Swindell, a 16-year major-league veteran, was designated for assignment after Friday night's game against the Cubs. Over the next 10 days, Swindell can be traded or claimed by another team off waivers. After that period ends, he can be signed by another team as a free agent, and the Diamondbacks still would be liable for all but $300,000 of the $2.75 million he is guaranteed this season.
Swindell, 38, pitched four seasons with Arizona and was attempting to develop a knuckleball this spring to help prolong his career. He gave up one hit in one inning of relief Friday night. This spring, Swindell had no record with a 6.10 ERA in 10 1-3 innings.
Swindell was the No. 2 pick overall by Cleveland in the 1986 amateur draft and switched from starter to reliever in the mid-1990s. He has a 113-122 career record with a 3.86 ERA with Cleveland, Cincinnati, Houston, Minnesota, Boston and Arizona.
In other moves, catcher Robby Hammock was optioned to Triple-A Tucson. Outfielder Mark Little and relievers Ron Villone and Eddie Oropesa were assigned to the minors. All three had signed minor league contracts.