The Phillies needed roster space when the team signed A.J. Burnett. The roster casualty was left-handed reliever Joe Savery, was designated for assignment. Savery did not make it past waivers, according to Jim Salisbury of CSN Philly:
Joe Savery claimed on waivers by the Oakland A's.
— Jim Salisbury (@JSalisburyCSN) February 17, 2014
Savery was expendable because the Phillies have left-handed relievers Antonio Bastardo and Jake Diekman, along with Jeremy Horst.
Savery was the first round pick of the Phillies out of Rice University in 2007. Savery was known for yielding a big bat, in addition to a top fastball. Savery's fastball seemed to be lost in 2011 and Savery re-signed with the Phillies as a first baseman and designated hitter, opening the season splitting time with Darin Ruf at first base and designated hitter for the Clearwater Threshers.
But, thanks to a 23-inning contest against the Jupiter Hammerheads, both Savery and Ruf ended up called into pitching duty. Savery threw two innings that night and the team realized something: Savery's fastball was back. Savery moved to Reading to pitch again, then Lehigh Valley, and then earned a callup to the Phillies the very season he began the season as a first baseman in Class A Clearwater.
Savery pitched to a 3-2 record and 4.12 ERA in 41 games over three seasons. Despite being known for his bat, Savery never did get a chance to bat for the Phillies in the big leagues. Savery may not get that with the Oakland Athletics, but they may see something in Savery to give him the opportunity he never did get in Philadelphia.
