The Phillies announced that they have released 35-year-old right-hander Chad Durbin. In his place, left-hander Joe Savery will be recalled and added to the Major League bullpen.
Durbin totaled 16 innings out of Philadelphia's bullpen this season but allowed 16 earned runs on 25 hits and nine walks. He did manage to strike out 16 batters in that time, continuing a trend of increased strikeouts over the past few years. Durbin signed a one-year deal worth $1.1MM that contained a club option for 2014 back in January.
In parts of 14 Major League seasons between the Royals, Indians, Phillies, Braves, Tigers and Diamondbacks, the Louisiana native has a 5.03 ERA with 6.2 K/9 and 3.9 BB/9.
The 27-year-old Savery has a 4.03 ERA with a 29-to-8 K/BB ratio in 22 1/3 innings for Triple-A Lehigh Valley this season. He has appeared in parts of three Major League seasons with the Phillies after being selected 19th overall in the 2007 draft.
