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#Mets sign RHP David Aardsma to a minor league deal...He'll report to Las Vegas (AAA) of the Pacific Coast League.
— New York Mets (@Mets) May 20, 2013
The Mets announced today that they have agreed to a minor league contract with right-handed, 31-year-old pitcher David Aardsma. Most fans probably remember Aardsma as the effective Mariners reliever who recorded 69 saves between 2009 and 2010 before Tommy John surgery derailed his career.
Aardsma returned to the majors in 2012 with a one-inning cameo for the Yankees, and he was in spring training with them this March. The Yankees designated Aardsma for assignment before the start of the regular season, and he signed with Miami in mid-April.
Aardsma has 14 strikeouts, eight walks, and a 2.57 ERA in 14 innings with Triple-A New Orleans of the Pacific Coast league this season. He was released by the Marlins on Wednesday.
Before surgery, Aardsma had a fastball in the mid-nineties, though he seems to have lost a few ticks in that department. His most notable achievement may be credited less to his arm than his ancestry, as his name appears first alphabetically among all who have ever played in Major League Baseball.