Cleveland Indians sign pair of veteran left-handers
The Cleveland Indians announced Monday the signing of two veteran free agent left-handed pitchers. Tom Gorzelanny and Joe Thatcher have been signed to minor-league contracts.
Thatcher, a left-handed relief specialist, pitched for the Houston Astros last season, compiling a 3.18 ERA with 26 strikeouts, 12 walks and eight earned runs over 22 2/3 innings pitched (43 appearances). The 34-year-old has a career ERA of 3.38 and is 11-16 in 405 relief appearances since debuting with the San Diego Padres in 2007.
Gorzelanny spent 2015 with the Detroit Tigers, recording a 5.95 ERA with 36 strikeouts, 23 walks and 26 earned runs over 39 1/3 innings pitched. Also a lefty reliever, Gorzelanny has limited left-handed batters to a .230 average (191-830, .662 OPS) off him. He owns a career major-leaugue record of 49-52 with a 4.34 ERA in 307 games (121 starts) throughout his 11-year career with five clubs since debuting with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2005.
Both Gorzelanny and Thatcher will recieve invites to major-league spring training camp.
