Jeff

Ridgway

Ridgway finished with a 3.06 ERA in 64 2/3 innigns as a reliever for Durham. He’ll get a look as a lefty specialist.

Like the Mark Kotsay-for-Joey Devine trade, this hardly has the potential for crippling the franchise. Still, we’re left wholly unimpressed by another Frank Wren move. Aybar is easily the top talent in the deal, and the Braves liked Fontaine enough to make him a second-round pick in 2006. The Braves must see something in Ridgway, but he looks like a generic left-handed reliever to us.

We may not like the move, but at least Ridgway has nowhere to go but up. He allowed seven runs over one-third of an inning in three appearances for the Rays in September. The 27-year-old has pretty good stuff for a left-hander, but he’s battled arm problems and his command is below average. It’s stunning that the Braves would give up two players to get him.

Ridgway, the pitcher the Braves got from the Rays for Willy Aybar in January, had a 5.47 ERA in 52 2/3 innings for Richmond. Lefties and righties both hit better than .300 against him. He turned 28 last month, so he’s a real long shot.

He’s expected to be fully healthy for spring training, but will have to skip winter ball. “It flared up Sunday,” Ridgway said. “I thought it might calm down. We gave it a little bit of time but X-rays and the MRI both revealed a small chip floating around in there. It’s real minor.”

It was a surprise that Ridgway stayed and Phil Stockman went when Mike Gonzalez was activated on Wednesday. Ridgway allowed two runs in 4 1/3 innings during his 10 days in the majors.

Anderson was outdone by Gregor Blanco’s monster spring, and Lillibridge, 24, hit only .214 this spring. With Borchard gone, Brayan Pena unexpectedly will claim the final spot on Atlanta’s bench.

With Mike Gonzalez nearly ready and Charlie Morton set to be called up this weekend, Ridgway’s stay figures to be a very short one. He’ll be used in middle relief.

The only batter to reach against him did so on a HBP. Ridgway, who was added to Tampa Bay’s 40-man roster last month, has struck out seven in six scoreless innings for the Desert Dogs. He’ll probably get a chance to compete for a bullpen spot in the spring.

Ridgway, who is currently pitching in the AFL, had a 2.79 ERA and a 67/20 K/BB ratio between Double-A Montgomery and Durham. Left-handers hit just .155 against him, so he might have a future in a major league bullpen. He’ll be a long shot to win a spot in spring training.