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Phillies Sign James Russell to Minor League Contract

The Phillies have agreed to terms with left-hander James Russell on a minor league contract with an invitation to major league spring training, Assistant General Manager Scott Proefrock announced today.

Last season, Russell went 0-2 with one save and a 5.29 ERA in 49 appearances for the Chicago Cubs. In his previous three seasons (2012-14), the 29-year-old posted a 3.26 ERA with a 1.22 WHIP and 0.75 HR/9.0 IP ratio in 217 games, which included a career-best 2.97 ERA in 66 appearances between the Cubs and Atlanta Braves in 2014.

A six-year major league veteran and son of former major league All-Star Jeff Russell, he has a 3.26 ERA in 86 games versus National League East opponents, his best against any division in baseball. For his career, Russell is 10-18 with four saves and a 3.90 ERA in 387 games between the Cubs (2010-15) and Braves (2014). He was originally selected by Chicago in the 14th round of the June 2007 draft out of the University of Texas.

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