PHILADELPHIA – The Philadelphia Phillies have signed Gloucester Catholic High School alumnus RHP Greg Burke to a minor league contract with an invitation to Spring Training, according to Phil Anastasia of The Philadelphia Inquirer.
Former Gloucester Catholic pitcher Greg Burke "fully healthy this off-season," excited about signing with Phillies, his "hometown team"
— Philip Anastasia (@PhilAnastasia) November 23, 2015
Burke, 33, last appeared in the major leagues as a member of the New York Mets in 2013, where he allowed 20 earned runs on 43 hits and 15 walks in 31 2/3 innings of work.
Anastasia writes:
Burke has undergone surgery to repair his rotator cuff and his hip in two of the last three off-seasons. . . .
At Gloucester Catholic, he was an ace pitcher for a team that in his senior season in 2000 went 33-1 and was ranked No. 1 in the nation by Baseball America.
Burke threw in 48 combined games last season within the Toronto Blue Jays' minor league system, striking out 66 batters over 61 2/3 innings.
The right hander is not the first New Jersey native to be signed by the Phillies this offseason, as LHP Jeff Singer of Cinnaminson agreed to a minor league deal on Oct. 15.
Matt Rappa (@mattrappasports) is managing editor of Philliedelphia.com.
