July 10, 2013 at 9:14 AM
Red Sox ink indy league lefty Eric Niesen
The injury-ravaged Red Sox bullpen has left the PawSox a little short too, apparently. The Long Island Ducks - who play in the independent Atlantic League - announced Tuesday that left-handed reliever Eric Niesen signed with Boston and was assigned to Triple-A Pawtucket.
Niesen made his debut Tuesday night, allowing one run on two hits in one inning of work in a 6-1 PawSox loss to the Lehigh Valley IronPigs (PHI).
The 6-foot-1, 185-pound southpaw was in the midst of a solid 2013 season, his second with the Long Island organization, posting a 3.23 ERA and 1.18 WHIP in 39 innings spread out over 35 relief appearances. He also averaged a strikeout per inning and had a 3.25 K/BB ratio.
Selected in the third round of the 2007 MLB draft out of Wake Forest, Niesen got as high as Double-A with the Mets before being released after five seasons. The 27-year-old Niesen spent spring training with the Mariners this year, but was cut and returned to the Ducks.
Photo credit: Eric Niesen courtesy of the Long Island Ducks.
Tim Healey is a staff writer for SoxProspects.com. Follow him on Twitter @timbhealey.