MIAMI (Reuters) - Free agent pitcher Bartolo Colon will get a chance to prove his fitness after he was signed by the Boston Red Sox to a minor league contract Monday and was invited to join its spring training camp.
The 34-year-old former Cy Young winner, who struggled with a sore shoulder in 2005 and elbow problems last season, will audition for the World Series champion Red Sox at their Grapefruit League camp in Fort Myers.
"Signing Colon to a minor league deal, we think is a no-risk, potential high-reward signing," Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein told baseball Web site mlb.com.
"He's on a minor league contract and he's going to show up in camp tomorrow, and we'll do an evaluation of how far he is away from helping us."
Colon, named the American League's top pitcher in 2005 when he went 21-8 with a 3.48 earned run average for the Angels, was 1-5 with a 5.11 ERA in 2006, and 6-8 with a 6.34 ERA in 2007.
The stocky right-hander has a career record of 146-95.
Boston is starting the season without injured starter Curt Schilling, but are relatively deep in starting pitching with Josh Beckett, Daisuke Matsuzaka, knuckleballer Tim Wakefield, Jon Lester and rookie Clay Buchholz penciled in the rotation.
The contract gives Colon an out-clause at some point if he is not placed on the major league roster, said Epstein, who would not reveal what the cut-off date was.
"But it gives us ample time to get him sort of into shape and fully evaluated," Epstein said. "We'll see."
Posted by: min0 lee
I didn't realize how bad he was the last 2 years.
He always did look out of shape.
Posted by: Triple Threat
Colon and Schilling can have a contest to see which one can be the least out of shape.
Posted by: I Are Baboon
I've got no problem with this. It's a no risk move and can't hurt the Sox to give it a try.
Posted by: soxmuscle
It's a good move.
He's friendly with Manny, Cora and all the Dominicans on the team and apparently is meshing really well.
He's been terrible the last two years but if he can get into shape, he could be a nice addition mid-season/at the deadline without having to give up any prospects.
I like.
Posted by: min0 lee
I don't like it......he went to Boston that's why.
I wonder if the Yanks were interested in him, he's still ten times better than Pavarno.
