Arizona Diamondbacks

D-backs invite relievers Matusz, Jepsen to spring camp

Published Feb. 13, 2017 6:58 p.m. ET

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- The Arizona Diamondbacks agreed to minor-league deals with left-hander Brian Matusz and right-hander Kevin Jepsen.

Both players were invited to major league camp, which began Monday.

The 30-year-old Matusz, who was the Arizona High School Player of the Year for St. Mary's High School in 2005, appeared in seven games for Baltimore and one with the Chicago Cubs last season. He is 27-41 with a 4.92 ERA in 280 big league games.

The 32-year-old Jepsen appeared in 58 games with the Minnesota Twins and Tampa Bay Rays last season, finishing 2-6 with a 5.98 ERA. He is 28-30 with a 3.92 ERA in parts of eight seasons with three teams.

Both pitchers had strong seasons in 2015 before tailing off last year. Jepsen led the American League with 75 appearances and had a 2.33 ERA in 2015. Matusz had a 2.94 ERA in 58 appearances and averaged 10.3 strikeouts per nine innings over 58 relief appearances.