Mariners sign RHP Justin De Fratus
Seattle Mariners Executive Vice President & General Manager of Baseball Operations Jerry Dipoto announced today that the club has signed free agent reliever Justin De Fratus to a one-year contract.
"Justin gives us another young, Major League-ready arm in the mix for our bullpen," Dipoto said. "He brings us one step closer to the type of depth we believe is required to be truly competitive in this league. Justin remains a young pitcher with good stuff who has been both durable and resilient as a Major Leaguer, while also being just one year removed from an excellent 2014 season."
De Fratus, 28, has spent his entire career in the Philadelphia Phillies organization, drafted in the 11th round out of Ventura College (CA) in 2007. The 6-4, 225-pound right-hander was signed by then Phillies scout Tim Kissner, now the Mariners Director of International Operations.
Justin has been used exclusively as a relief pitcher the Major Leagues during the 2011-2015 seasons, making a total of 191 appearances, including 173 over the last three years. He was 0-2 with a 5.51 ERA in 61 appearances in 2015. His best season was 2014 when he was 3-2 with a 2.39 ERA for the Phillies in 54 appearances (12 walks and 49 strikeouts) with a 1.082 WHIP.
The Mariners 40-man roster is now at 39.
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