Devenski brings experience to Phils' bullpen
PHILADELPHIA -- Chris Devenski drove from Allentown, Pa., to Philadelphia on Sunday morning. He liked what he heard on the radio.
¡°You can tell the overall vibe of the city is pretty cool,¡± he said. ¡°It seems like it¡¯s blue-collar to me.¡±
Devenski, 31, joined the Phillies with only 11 games to play in the regular season after they placed left-hander Brad Hand on the 15-day injured list with tendinitis in his left elbow. The Phillies said there is no structural damage to Hand¡¯s elbow. They backdated his stint to Thursday, which would make him eligible to be activated for the NL Wild Card Series, which begins on Oct. 7, if Philadelphia clinches a postseason berth.
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In the meantime, the Phils hope Devenski can help. The seven-year veteran had a 1.04 ERA in nine appearances with Triple-A Lehigh Valley. He had a 7.59 ERA in 10 appearances earlier this season with the D-backs. That was his first big-league action following Tommy John surgery on June 2, 2021.
¡°I feel like my arm took a turn,¡± Devenski said. ¡°I feel like the longer I¡¯ve been removed from it, the more I¡¯m starting to feel better.¡±
It is a common refrain from pitchers returning from Tommy John surgery.
Devenski brings experience to the Phillies¡¯ bullpen. He pitched in 13 postseason games with Houston, including five in the 2017 World Series and three in the 2019 World Series.
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The White Sox selected him in the 25th round of the 2011 Draft. They traded him to Houston in August 2012 for Brett Myers and cash.
Devenski was the player to be named later in the deal.
¡°Right into the fire, just ready to go,¡± Devenski said. ¡°I¡¯m here to do whatever it takes to help this team win.¡±