Ducks Add Two Starters
Published on April 6, 2011 under Atlantic League (AtL)
Long Island Ducks News Release
(Central Islip, N.Y., April 6, 2011) - The Long Island Ducks today announced the signings of pitchers Ruddy Lugo and Heath Phillips. Both begin their first season with the Ducks and first in the Atlantic League.
"We are excited to add Ruddy and Heath to our pitching staff," says Ducks manager Kevin Baez. "Their success at the major and minor league level will be extremely valuable to us."
Lugo begins his 13th season of professional baseball in 2011. He spent the last two seasons with Triple-A Toledo in the Detroit Tigers organization. Overall, he posted a 15-13 record and 76 strikeouts in 36 games (35 starts). strikeouts in 33 games (11 starts).The Dominican Republic native spent parts of two seasons in the Major Leagues with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays (2006-07) and the Oakland Athletics (2007). He combined for a record of 8-4 with a 4.39 ERA in 102 games. The 30-year-old was originally drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers in the third round of the 1999 amateur draft.
Phillips joins Long Island with 10 seasons of professional baseball experience. He reached the Major Leagues in 2007 with the Chicago White Sox, posting a 1-1 record with a 3.68 ERA in six games. The lefty spent the 2010 season as a member of the Triple-A Durham Bulls in the Tampa Bay Rays organization, going 8-7 with a 4.07 ERA in 24 games, all starts.
The Indiana native's best season came in 2006 with Triple-A Charlotte in the White Sox organization. In 25 games (24 starts), Phillips posted 13 wins, a 2.96 ERA, and two complete games, all good for second in the International League. He led the league with 13 wins the following season for Charlotte before earning the call-up to the Major Leagues. For his minor league career, the 29-year-old has a record of 79-80 with a 4.05 ERA and 897 strikeouts in 261 games (217 starts). Phillips was originally drafted by the White Sox in the 10th round of the 2000 amateur entry draft.
The Long Island Ducks are entering their 12th season of play in the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. Opening Day is May 6. For season ticket or advertising information, visit www.liducks.com or call 631-940-DUCK.
Atlantic League Stories from April 6, 2011
- Ducks Add Two Starters - Long Island Ducks
- Former Big League Starter Jerome Williams Added to Staff - Lancaster Stormers
- Crabs Ink a New Broadcaster for the 2011 Season - Southern Maryland Blue Crabs
- Bluefish Ink Trio - Bridgeport Bluefish
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