Phillies sign Durbin

            Right-handed relief pitcher Chad Durbin has signed a one-year contract with the Phillies, Senior Vice President & General Manager Ruben Amaro Jr. announced today.  The contract includes a club option for 2014.

            Durbin, 35, went 4-1 with one save and a 3.10 ERA in 76 appearances for the Atlanta Braves last year.  He exceeded 60.0 innings (61.0) for the sixth straight season.  In 28 games against NL East opponents, Durbin had a 0.83 ERA with a .169 opponents' batting average.  Through his first three games of the year, Durbin allowed six earned runs and then posted a 2.33 ERA for the remainder of the season, holding opposing hitters to a .208 batting average during that span.

            A member of the Phillies' 2008 world championship team, Durbin spent three years (2008-10) with the club, going 11-7 with a 3.62 ERA in 194 games.

            Originally selected by the Kansas City Royals in the third round of the 1996 draft, Durbin is 42-47 with five saves and a 4.95 ERA in 440 games (75 starts) for the Royals (1999-2002), Cleveland Indians (2003-04, 2011), Arizona Diamondbacks (2004), Detroit Tigers (2006-07), the Phillies and Atlanta Braves (2012).

            Durbin will wear #45.

            To make room for Durbin on the 40-man roster, the Phillies have designated right-hander J.C. Ramirez for assignment.