Dusty Bergman could see the handwriting on the wall. Bergman knew he wasn't going to receive the chance to pitch in the Major Leagues with the New York Yankees.
So Bergman asked the Yankees for his release and after spending the first half of the season with the team's Triple A affiliate, the Columbus Clippers, the club granted his request on Sunday. It didn't take long for Bergman to find another team as the San Francisco Giants effectively picked him up on Tuesday.
In another development involving a Carson High graduate and the Yankees, the club transferred right-handed pitcher Darrell Rasner from the 15-day to 60-day disabled list. Rasner, a 1999 CHS graduate, was placed on the 60-day disabled list to make room for Sidney Ponson, who the Yankees signed on Friday.
Rasner was called up by the Yankees from Columbus on May 30 and made one appearance on June 1, not allowing a run in 1.2 innings against the Detroit Tigers. But on the following day while warming up in the bullpen, Rasner felt pain in his shoulder and the injury has yet to heal.
Bergman was officially signed by the Giants after he took his physical on Wednesday and the 1996 Carson High graduate joined The Giants Triple A affiliate, the Fresno Grizzlies on Thursday. Bergman, a left-handed relief pitcher, said he threw a bullpen session on Friday and will be available to pitch for the Grizzlies today.
"I was looking for anywhere else to go," Bergman said. "The Giants were very interested."
The Yankees are one of the few Major League teams who have depth in left-handed relief pitching. Ron Villone and Mike Myers are both having solid years for the Yankees and another left-hander, Matt Smith, didn't allow a run out of the bullpen in several outings for the Yankees before being sent back down to Columbus.
One of the Yankees' top prospects, Sean Henn, another left-hander who throws in the mid-90s, was also recently moved to the Clippers' bullpen.
"We had a lot of guys that we're in specific programs that had to pitch," Bergman said. "I wasn't one of those guys."
As a result, Bergman saw mostly mop-up duty. Bergman was still having a solid year for Columbus. In 35 appearances he was 0-4 with one save with a 3.79 earned run average in 35.2 innings. But Bergman wasn't pleased with the way he pitched.
"I really didn't like it," said Bergman about his first half with Columbus. "I didn't throw very well.
"I was doing a lot of mop up. I just had some bad luck. I threw the wrong pitch at the wrong time."
Bergman has received a cup of coffee in the Major Leagues, making one appearance with the Angels in 2004. Rasner was also named to the Pacific Coast All-Star Team in 2005 before he was traded to the Giants, finishing the season with Fresno.
Due to miscommunication, Bergman said, the Giants released him during the off season and he was picked up by the Yankees.