Report: D-Backs agree to deals with Matusz, Jepsen
When Arizona Diamondbacks pitchers and catchers arrive to spring training on Monday in Scottsdale, two new faces will reportedly be joining them.
Arizona has agreed to minor-league deals with left-hander Brian Matusz and right-hander Kevin Jepsen, reports MLB.com's Steve Gilbert.
Both Matusz and Jepsen should fight for spots in a Diamondbacks bullpen that was one of the National League's worst last season, finishing 12th in ERA (4.94), while allowing the third-most home runs (73).
The 30-year-old Matusz - a fourth overall selection by the Baltimore Orioles in 2008 - pitched just nine innings last season, posting a 14.00 ERA with the Orioles and Chicago Cubs.
He pitched well for Baltimore in a relief role in 2015, fashioning a 2.94 ERA during 58 appearances, which included a 10.3 strikeouts-per-nine-inning rate.
Jepsen appeared in 58 games for the Minnesota Twins and Tampa Bay Rays last season, struggling to his highest ERA (5.98) since 2011.
Prior to 2016, the 32-year-old had posted two consecutive seasons with an ERA of 2.63 or less.
Over the course of his nine-year career, Jepsen has also saved 27 games.