PawSox Add Nine-Year MLB Veteran

He has pitched with the Mets, Phillies, Brewers, Pirates, and Astros over nine Major League seasons, and now Nelson Figueroa adds the Pawtucket Red Sox to the list.

As former PawSox outfielder Darnell McDonald cleared waivers and was assigned to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre’s roster, the Yankees released the 38-year-old Figueroa who, shortly there after, was scooped up by the Red Sox.

In his first year in the Yankees’ system, Figueroa bounced between the rotation and the bullpen (17 appearances, 9 starts) for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and overall pitched well, going 7-2 with a 3.96 ERA while walking 25 and striking out 36.

Figueroa last pitched in the Major Leagues with Houston in 2011 where he went 0-3, 8.69 ERA (28 ER/29.0 IP) before being released in August. (AP)

Interestingly enough, his poorest start of the year came against the PawSox in Batavia, Ny. where he gave up a home run to Che-Hsuan Lin. He suffered the loss, lasting just 3 2/3 innings and allowed eight runs on eight hits.

Born in Brooklyn, the 6-foot-1 right-hander actually has local roots about 45 miles north of McCoy Stadium. He pitched for Brandeis University in Waltham, Ma. and is the first player in the school’s history to ever have his number retired.

-AG

@aaronmgoldsmith
agoldsmith@pawsox.com