Red Sox Sign Knuckleballer Charlie Haeger, Assign Him to Double-A Portland

by Ricky Doyle on Mon, Jul 25, 2011 at 12:43AM

With Tim Wakefield reaching milestones nearly every time he takes the mound these days, the Red Sox have added another knuckleballer to their organization. The Sox signed 27-year-old Charlie Haeger, who was released by the Seattle Mariners last week.

Haeger hasn't pitched in the majors since June 24 of last season, when he was a member of the Los Angeles Dodgers. In nine games in 2010, which included six starts, he went 0-4 with a 8.40 ERA.

Haeger, who has appeared at the major league level with the White Sox, Padres and Dodgers, is 2-7 with a 6.40 ERA in 34 career games (10 starts).

He was widely regarded as one of the best knuckleball-throwing prospects since Wakefield upon being drafted in the 25th round of the 2001 draft, but he's pitched mostly in the minors since then. He has been assigned to Double-A Portland, although he is currently on the temporary inactive list.