Tim Byrdak signed with the Astros

Friday, April 4, 2008
Notebook
Tom Gage / The Detroit News


After releasing him, the Tigers were hoping to sign Tim Byrdak to a minor league contract so he could be in Triple-A Toledo's bullpen. But with the hope he'd get back to the majors quicker than he might have with the Tigers, he signed with the Astros instead and reported to Triple-A Round Rock (Texas).

Byrdak went to spring training as one of the left-handed relievers the Tigers were counting on to make the team, but he lost his spot on the 40-man roster because of what he called an "embarrassing" spring." He had a 13.50 ERA in 10 games.

04/03/2008 4:13 PM ET
Astros ink Byrdak to Minor League deal
By Sandy Burgin / Special to MLB.com

SAN DIEGO -- The Houston Astros signed former Detroit Tigers left-hander Tim Byrdak to a Minor League contract on Thursday.

Byrdak, 34, was 3-0 with 3.20 ERA in 45 innings for the Tigers last season.

He will report to the Triple-A Round Rock Express in Iowa.

Byrdak struck out 9.8 batters per nine innings, ninth-best among all American League relievers last season. He limited left-handed batters to a .176 batting average (12-for-88) with the Tigers. Righties hit .268 (26-for-97) with Byrdak on the mound.

He went on the disabled list on June 27 with left elbow tendinitis and rejoined the Tigers on July 25.

Byrdak began the 2006 season with the Balitmore Orioles and was on the Opening Day roster at the Major League level for the first time.

Sandy Burgin is a contributor to MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

I'm just glad he found a team.

Piss On HIM!

well, I wouldn't go that far....