November 5, 2007

Dumatrait Doesn’t Go Too Far

All you Reds fans who bought the Dumatrait jersey (or more likely, all you Bats fans who bought a Dumatrait jersey) will be glad to know that you’ll still get to see your fair share of the youngish lefty now that the Pirates have picked him up off waivers:

The Pittsburgh Pirates today announced they have claimed left-handed pitcher Phil Dumatrait (pronounced “doo-MAH-tray”) off waivers from the Cincinnati Reds. The announcement was made by Pirates Senior Vice President and General Manager, Neal Huntington.

Dumatrait, 26, spent a majority of the 2007 season with Triple-A Louisville, where he went 10-6 with a 3.53 ERA in 22 starts. He made his Major League debut with the Reds on Aug. 2 at Washington and made six starts with Cincinnati over the final two months of the season, pitching a career-high 6.0 innings in a no-decision against the Dodgers on Aug. 9.

Originally selected by the Red Sox in the first round of the 2000 First-Year Player Draft (22nd player chosen overall), Dumatrait was named Boston’s Minor League Pitcher-of-the-Year in 2002 after going 8-7 with a 2.88 ERA in 26 starts with Augusta (A) and Sarasota (A). He was traded to the Reds organization, along with cash considerations and a player to be named (LHP Tyler Pelland), in exchange for right-handed pitcher Scott Williamson on July 29, 2003. Dumatrait missed the 2004 season after having Tommy John surgery on his left elbow on April 12 of that year. In 145 career Minor League games (142 starts), he has gone 45-44 with a 3.33 ERA

To make room for Dumatrait on the 40-man roster, the Pirates outrighted catcher Carlos Maldonado to Triple-A Indianapolis.

How considerate for the press release to provide a pronunciation guide for Dumatrait’s name. They ought to provide one for poor Paul Maholm, who seems to be under the impression that his last name has three sylables. Not that I can talk: I tried to spell the word “pronounciation.”

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