Red Sox Sign Matt Maloney To Minor-League Deal

The Red Sox aren't quite done adding arms they can stockpile in the minors yet, as on Friday they signed Matt Maloney to a minor-league deal, per Baseball America's Matt Eddy. Maloney, a 29-year-old southpaw, has pitched for the Reds and Twins in 91 major-league innings, with a career 5.74 ERA.

Maloney was a third-round draft pick of the Phillies all the way back in 2005, out of the University of Mississippi. While he's had his moments in the minors, the 2012 season was tough for him both in the majors (11 frames, 10 runs, two homers) and minors (24 innings, 9.38 ERA, nearly as many homers as walks). Of course, there's a reason for this: Maloney underwent Tommy John surgery on July 17. That puts him, as of signing, seven months past his surgery, not quite late enough to get any spring innings in.

He has kind of an odd injury history outside of this. In 2011, he fractured ribs while sneezing. (Do not laugh at this, as one can only assume that BaseBa'al will curse you with your own cracked ribs for your petulance.) He's also missed some time due to blisters on his middle finger, on multiple occasions between 2009 and 2010. Other than the TJ, though, there has never been a major injury for the left-hander.

Given he's just seven months out from surgery, Maloney probably won't even begin throwing off of a mound until well into the minor-league season. He can take all the time he needs, however, as a non-roster minor-league arm. Whether or not he can ever help in the majors is another question entirely, as Maloney's control has helped him in the minors, but his mid-80s fastball hasn't mystified major-league batters in the same way. In all likelihood, the Sox see this as a mid-season depth signing for their minor-league clubs, once promotions start to thin the ranks.

This does, however, give us an excuse to point you towards Ben Lindbergh's description of the craziest half-inning in baseball history, one in which Maloney took part in. Or didn't take part in. It's not entirely clear, but that's why you need to read it.