PHILADELPHIA – The Philadelphia Phillies have signed left-hander Edgar Ibarra to a minor league contract, according to Baseball America.
Ibarra, 26, was signed as an amateur free agent by the Minnesota Twins on Jan. 2, 2006. He made his major league debut last season on June 2 with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, allowing just one walk while striking out two batters over two innings.
Edgar Ibarra's Previous Three Seasons
It is not yet known if Ibarra will be invited to major league camp, but as Ignacio Serrano of ESPN Deportes notes, an invitation is likely given the Venezuelan native's southpaw status.
Ibarra joins left-handers Jeremy Bleich and Evan Crower, who is a former backup quarterback at Stanford, as recent minor league depth signings by general manager Matt Klentak.
If invited to major league camp, Ibarra will have tough competition, as there are seven left-handers currently on the Phillies' 40-man roster: Elvis Araujo, Matt Harrison (back), Mario Hollands, Bobby LaFromboise, Adam Morgan, Brett Oberholtzer and Daniel Stumpf. Six-year veteran James Russell, who signed with the Phillies on Nov. 12, will also appear as a non-roster invitee.
Phillies pitchers and catchers are due to report to Clearwater, Florida, on Feb. 18.
Matt Rappa (@mattrappasports) is managing editor of Philliedelphia.com.
