Phillies Sign Reliever Chad Qualls
Updated: Tuesday, 31 Jan 2012, 12:33 PM EST
Published : Tuesday, 31 Jan 2012, 11:25 AM EST
PHILADELPHIA - The Phillies announced Tuesday morning that they have signed reliever Chad Qualls to one-year contract.
Qualls, 33, got a $1.15-million deal from the Phils, who noted that the right-hander has made more appearances (512) than any MLB pitcher over the past seven seasons.
Qualls pitched last season for the San Diego Padres, going 6-8 with a 3.51 ERA over 74.1 innings.
He was 0 for 5 in save opportunities, but he does have 51 saves over his eight-season career in San Diego, Tampa Bay, Arizona and Houston. He picked up 24 of those saves in 2009 with the Diamondbacks but lost the gig in 2010 after converting just 12 of 16 opportunities and was traded that season to the Rays.
His career numbers includes a 3.78 ERA over 537 games, with 539 hits, 426 strikeouts and 150 walks in 543 innings.
The move bolsters the Phillies' bullpen, which gained closer Jonathan Pabelbon this offseason but saw the departure of free-agents Ryan Madson and Brad Lidge.