Days after several media outlets reported that right-handed reliever Bob Howry
had signed a deal with the D-backs, the team finally confirmed it. Howry, 36, had a 3.39 ERA
in 63 outings for San Francisco in 2009. He figures to serve as a setup man for
closer Chad Qualls.
"Bob is a proven, veteran reliever," Byrnes said. "We feel that he will strengthen our bullpen."
Howry limited right-handed batters to a .207 batting average with five walks and
25 strikeouts while left-handed batters hit .225 against him with 18 walks and 21 strikeouts.
In 31.1 innings against NL West opponents, he went 1-2 with a 3.16 ERA, a .212 opponents' average, 11 walks, and 23 strikeouts.
Howry posted the worst ERA of his career in 2008 at 5.35 due to allowing 13 home
runs and 90 hits in 70.2 innings. While his ERA, hit rate, and home
run rate improved in 2009, the 6-foot-5 right-hander also managed his worst
strikeout rate since 2005 and his worst walk rate since 2001.
Over parts of 12 seasons in the majors with the Chicago White Sox (1998-2002), Boston Red Sox (2002-03), Cleveland Indians (2004-05), Chicago Cubs (2006-08),
and Giants (2009), he is 44-49 with 66 saves and a 3.66 ERA in 731 career relief
appearances. Since 2005, he leads the majors with 376 appearances, just ahead of new teammates Chad Qualls' 365 outings and Aaron Heilman's 356 games. His 97 holds rank fourth among active relievers.
Howry is an Arizona Valley native and attended Deer Valley High School in Glendale.
He currently lives in suburban Peoria.
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