Tsao Passes Physical, Joins Bullpen Scramble
By Tot Holmes
Publisher
Posted Jan 30, 2007
The Dodgers officially signed right-handed pitcher Chin-hui Tsao after
he passed a physical examination and added him to the 40-man roster.
Tsao, 25, signed a split contract with a salary of $425,000 if he is
in the majors and $125,000 if he isn't, a figure well above that of the
average minor leaguer. He had agreed to sign with the Dodgers on
January 18.
'Chin-hui was one of the more promising young relievers in the game
as recently as two years ago,'' Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti
said. ''He's battled through some difficult injuries, but at his young
age we are excited about him coming to spring training, competing for
a spot on the roster and seeing what he can do when he is healthy.'
Tsao would probably make the club out of spring training only if the
Dodgers probably will have to carry a 12-man pitching staff since six
bullpen spots already appear to be taken. Closer Takashi Saito, setup
man Jonathan Broxton and middle relievers Joe Beimel, Elmer Dessens and
Brett Tomko are locks. Another spot will be filled either by veteran
Rudy Seanez, who was signed last week to a minor-league deal, or by
the odd-man out in the battle for the fifth starter's job, either
Chad Billingsley, Hong-Chih Kuo or Mark Hendrickson.
Colorado signed Tsao for $2.2 million in 1999. He was 4-3 with a 5.80 ERA
and four saves for the Rockies from 2003-05, and had a 29-20 record and
2.74 ERA in the minors. The Rockies declined to offer him a contract
this winter.
The right-hander has spent his entire big league career in the Rockies’
organization, appearing in 29 games from 2003-05 and going 4-3 with four
saves in those contests. The reliever was rated as Colorado’s No. 1
prospect by Baseball America in 2001, 2002 and 2004 as well as being
named the Rockies’ Organizational Player of the Year in 2003.
Tsao became the first Taiwanese-born pitcher to appear in the Major Leagues
when he made his Major League debut and won his first big-league game on
July 25, 2003 against Milwaukee. He was also the first player born in Taiwan
to get a hit when he doubled off New York’s Steve Trachsel at Shea Stadium
on Aug. 18, 2003.
Dodger left-hander Hong-Chih Kuo was the third Taiwanese-born pitcher
to make the Major Leagues when he debuted in 2005 and former Los Angeles
outfielder Chin-Feng Chen was the first Taiwanese player to appear in a
big league contest when he played on Sept. 14, 2002.
A national hero in Taiwan, Tsao has represented his country in five
major competitions, including the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece
where he made two appearances for Chinese Taipei, compiling a 1.93 ERA
and one save.
http://dodgers.scout.com/2/614409.html
(由於不是會員，所以大概只有一天可以連上此連結)
以上來自 Scout.com
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◆ From: 140.109.23.211
※ 編輯: yyhong68 來自: 140.109.23.211 (01/31 17:31)