The Arizona Diamondbacks began the process of rebuilding their horrific bullpen today with the addition of 36-year-old Brian Sweeney. Sweeney, a right-handed pitcher who last played for the Seattle Mariners, was added to the team's roster today according to an announcement from D-backs Executive Vice President and General Manager Kevin Towers.
Sweeney posted a 3.16 ERA in 37 innings pitched in 24 relief appearances for the Mariners. His opponents averaged .239 hitting against him and logged a total of six walks and 14 strikeouts. Over parts of four seasons in the Majors with the Mariners (2003, 2010) and Padres (2004, 2006), he is 4-2 with two saves, a 3.38 ERA (44 ER in 117.0 IP) and a .254 opponents average (113-for-445) with 25 walks and 54 strikeouts in 73 games (two starts).
The Diamondbacks began the free agency period by letting go of reliever Aaron Heilman, along with starting pitchers Rodrigo Lopez and Brandon Webb. When he took over the job late last season, Kevin Towers promised to focus his rebuilding efforts on the team's bullpen and "work his way backwards" to the starters and then the rest of the lineup.