D-backs avoid arbitration, agree to a one-year contract with Joe Thatcher

PHOENIX - The Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) have avoided arbitration and agreed to a one-year contract with left-handed pitcher Joe Thatcher, according to D-backs Executive Vice President and General Manager Kevin Towers.

Thatcher, 32, combined to go 3-2 with a 3.20 ERA (14 ER in 39.1 IP) in a career-high 72 relief appearances between the Padres and D-backs last season. Thatcher was acquired from the Padres on July 31 with right-handed pitcher Matt Stites and a Competitive Balance Lottery Pick for right-handed pitcher Ian Kennedy.

Since 2007, Thatcher ranks third in the Major Leagues in inherited runners scored percent (19.0), trailing Javier Lopez (18.1) and Randy Choate (18.2), and 12th among all left-handed relievers in ERA (min. 300 games).

Thatcher has gone 8-12 with 1 save and a 3.34 ERA (77 ER in 207.2 IP) in 309 games in seven seasons with the Padres (2007-13) and D-backs (2013). He has limited left-handed hitters to a .218 average (79-for-363) over his career, and has not surrendered a home run to a NL left-hander since Brandon Belt on Sept. 22, 2012 @ Giants.

Thatcher was originally signed by the Brewers as a Minor League free agent in 2005.