Ruddy Lugo's Gone

Seeking Bullpen Help, Busy Mets Claim RHP Ruddy Lugo Off Waivers From
Oakland




Jan 30, 7:05 PM (ET)

By MIKE FITZPATRICK
NEW YORK (AP) -As the New York Mets went to work Wednesday on a
contract extension for Johan Santana, they also added depth to their
bullpen by claiming hometown pitcher Ruddy Lugo off waivers from
Oakland.

Lugo was 6-0 with a 5.40 ERA in 38 relief appearances with the
Athletics and Tampa Bay last season. Oakland claimed him off waivers
in June, then designated him for assignment Friday after claiming
outfielder Jeff Fiorentino off waivers from Cincinnati.

Lugo is 8-4 with a 4.39 ERA in 102 major league games. Control has
been his biggest problem - he has 74 walks and 82 strikeouts in 133
1-3 innings.

Still, the 27-year-old right-hander has been effective for extended
stretches. He pitched in 64 games for Tampa Bay in 2006, going 2-4
with a 3.81 ERA and allowing only four homers in 85 innings. He held
opponents to a .210 batting average during his final 24 appearances
last year, finishing 4-0 with a 2.86 ERA.

The younger brother of Boston shortstop Julio Lugo, Ruddy was selected
by Milwaukee in the third round of the 1999 amateur draft.

(Full story can be found at http://www.excite.com)