According to MLB.com’s Corey Brock, he’s hearing the Padres have signed right-handed pitcher Dale Thayer to a minor-league deal, with a major-league invite. Thayer, now 30, is a 6′-0″, 195-lb, right-hand pitcher and a California native from Fountain Valley as well as a former Padre farm hand. In 11 games last year with the New York Mets, he went 0-3 while posing a 3.48 ERA in 10.1 innings. He also had a cup of coffee in 2009-2010 with Tampa Bay. Having said that, he has had a very productive minor-league career. Over nine seasons, he has posted a 2.49 ERA in 568.1 innings pitched. A reliever who has some experience closing in the minors, has a solid MiLB career strikeout (8.8 SO/9) to walk ratio, (2.8 BB/9).
Thayer spent 2003-2006 in the Padres organization and could be a nice depth addition to a Padre bullpen that needs some rebuilding after losing their All-Star closer Heath Bell to free agency and Mike Adams, who was traded to Texas.
Thayer is not an overpowering pitcher, even for a closer or relief pitcher, but still sits between 91-93 mph. He also throws a change-up and slurve to complement what some describe as his “running” fastball, which moves in on right-handed batters. Thayer has been intriguing for years because his stats are always very solid, but his scouting report is underwhelming, thus often getting looked over. In PETCO Park, he should get a legit chance to make the team.
