From the Cubs website -- The Cubs added another arm to the bullpen mix when they
claimed right-hander Sandy Rosario off waivers from the Red Sox on
Wednesday.
Rosario, 27, has been active on the transaction wire. The Red Sox
acquired him off waivers from the Marlins on Oct. 17, and he was
designated for assignment on Nov. 20. Eight days later, he was dealt to
the Athletics for right-hander Graham Godfrey. The Athletics then
designated Rosario for assignment two days later. On Dec. 10, the Red
Sox claimed him off waivers again.
Last season, he combined for 17 saves and a 1.99 ERA in 31 Minor League
games between the Marlins' Triple-A, Double-A and Class A teams. Rosario
missed nearly two months on the disabled list because of a strained
right quad.
He's had limited appearances over the last three seasons with the
Marlins, totaling 7 2/3 innings, and made four appearances in June with
the big league team. At Triple-A New Orleans, Rosario posted a 1.04 ERA
with 16 saves in 25 games, striking out 24 over 26 innings.
This winter, he's been pitching for Gigantes del Cibao in the Dominican,
appearing in 12 games through Dec. 8. He has 13 strikeouts and five
walks over 11 1/3 innings.
Cubs manager Dale Sveum knows Rosario. Sveum was with Milwaukee when the
pitcher made his Major League debut on Sept. 23, 2010, for the Marlins,
and the Brewers' Rickie Weeks and Prince Fielder hit his first and
third pitches for home runs.
Rosario has been claimed three times this off season. He appears to be every team's every 40th roster spot. But realistically, he is just another warm body for spring training innings.
His minor league numbers do not tell the story. Rosario has only 10 major league appearances in the last three major league seasons. His major league career is 0-0, 15.26 ERA in 7.2 IP, with 22 hits, 13 ER, 3 BB, 4 K, and 3.261 WHIP. He has a career negative 0.8 WAR. He is not even replacement caliber relief pitcher. And, as the release states, he is another pitcher with potential who missed TWO months with an injury.
