Major League Baseball

Phillies reach agreement with RHP Baez, pending physical

Published Dec. 31, 2009 12:00 a.m. ET

Ken Rosenthal

The Phillies have reached agreement with free-agent right-hander Danys Baez, according to major-league sources.

The deal is pending a physical, which Baez will take next week in Philadelphia, the sources said.

Baez, 32, went 4-6 with a 4.02 ERA in 59 games with the Orioles last season after missing all of 2008 while recovering from elbow surgery.

The Phillies envision Baez as a middle-inning reliever and possibly more as right-handed closer Brad Lidge and lefty setup man J.C. Romero each recover from elbow surgery.

Baez earned a combined 99 saves with the Indians and Rays from 2003 to
’05 and the two-time defending National League champion Phillies might require his late-inning experience.

CSNPhilly.com first reported that the Phillies had a deal with a reliever last week, saying that Baez had been the team’s “recent focus."