Phil

Dumatrait

Dumatrait figures to return to A ball for the start of the season. The lefty is one of the Reds’ top pitching prospects.

Dumatrait had been bothered by a sore elbow and had not thrown off the mound this spring.

If Dumatrait, acquired yesterday for Scott Williamson, performs well in his first outing, the Reds probably will bump him up to Double-A Chattanooga. The Cincinnati Enquirer says that the PTBN in the Williamson trade will be another left-handed pitcher. Since the Red Sox have already indicated it will be another Single-A player, it appears that 2002 second-round pick Jon Lester could be the choice.

He walked six and struck out seven. Dumatrait, who missed 2004 after Tommy John surgery, is 4-11 with a 3.40 ERA, 104 H and 83/64 K/BB in 111 1/3 IP for Chattanooga. He’s still interesting because of his curveball, but better command is a must.

No big surprises here. Dumatrait posted a 3.92 ERA and 29/25 K/BB ratio over 41 1/3 innings with the Twins last season and could be an option if there’s an injury in the bullpen.

Terms of the contract are not yet available. Dumatrait was outrighted off Minnesota’s 40-man roster at the end of October after posting a 3.92 ERA and 29/25 K/BB ratio over 41 1/3 innings. The lefty will presumably serve as a middle reliever next season.

Dumatrait was on a minor league deal with the Twins but had yet to appear in a game at the minor league level. They’ve released him in case he changes his mind and wants to continue his career, but it appears he’ll call it quits. Dumatrait held a 6.20 ERA over 87 career major league appearances.

Just your typical housecleaning for the 40-man roster at this time of year. Dumatrait, a 30-year-old left-hander, posted a 3.92 ERA over 45 appearances with the Twins this season, despite an ugly 29/25 K/BB ratio over 41 1/3 innings.

Dumatrait, who is coming off Tommy John elbow surgery, is a combined 0-3 with a 3.58 ERA in seven starts at Chattanooga and Sarasota.

We suppose he’s not an awful use of a 40-man roster spot, but Dumatrait was so brutal in his appearances with the Reds this year that it’s hard to imagine him functioning as a major league pitcher anytime soon. The 26-year-old lefty was 0-4 with a 15.00 ERA in six starts. He allowed 39 hits and walked 12 in 18 innings. Perhaps the only option is to lower his arm angle and see if he can contribute as a reliever.