Philadelphia Phillies bolster their bullpen depth with re-signing of veteran lefty Tim Mayza on a minor-league deal. The move, reported by Matt Gelb of The Athletic, is the latest addition to a group that also includes Brad Keller, Jonathan Bowlan, Zach Pop, and Trevor Richards in an effort to fortify the team's relief corps.
Mayza, 34, was claimed off waivers from the Pittsburgh Pirates last August and made eight appearances for the Phillies late in the season. While he allowed four earned runs in 7 1/3 innings, his inclusion on the National League Division Series roster hinted at a deeper commitment to the team.
A former Toronto Blue Jays stalwart, Mayza had excelled from 2021 to 2023, boasting a 1.53 ERA over 53 1/3 innings. He was arguably the Blue Jays' most valuable reliever during that period, earning a wild-card playoff berth in 2022. However, his performance declined precipitously last year, prompting release in July.
Mayza's decision to return to the Phillies, however, may not have been motivated solely by a desire to rejoin the organization he left just over a year ago. Chris Cotillo of MassLive reported earlier this week that the Boston Red Sox had expressed interest in Mayza before his eventual decision to stay with Philadelphia.
With the 2024 season now behind him and a new campaign ahead, Mayza will face stiff competition for one of the final spots in the Phillies bullpen during spring training.
Mayza, 34, was claimed off waivers from the Pittsburgh Pirates last August and made eight appearances for the Phillies late in the season. While he allowed four earned runs in 7 1/3 innings, his inclusion on the National League Division Series roster hinted at a deeper commitment to the team.
A former Toronto Blue Jays stalwart, Mayza had excelled from 2021 to 2023, boasting a 1.53 ERA over 53 1/3 innings. He was arguably the Blue Jays' most valuable reliever during that period, earning a wild-card playoff berth in 2022. However, his performance declined precipitously last year, prompting release in July.
Mayza's decision to return to the Phillies, however, may not have been motivated solely by a desire to rejoin the organization he left just over a year ago. Chris Cotillo of MassLive reported earlier this week that the Boston Red Sox had expressed interest in Mayza before his eventual decision to stay with Philadelphia.
With the 2024 season now behind him and a new campaign ahead, Mayza will face stiff competition for one of the final spots in the Phillies bullpen during spring training.