Cabrera added to pen

Two days after naming their closer, the Barnstormers identified their set-up man. It’s Jose Cabrera, who played in the major leagues with the Astros, Braves and Brewers.

Cabrera, 36, hasn’t pitched professionally in the United States since 2003, when he was in Triple-A with the Phillies. His last appearance in the big leagues came with the Brewers in 2002. According to the Howe database, he also pitched in Mexico in 2006.

The Barnstormers became interested in Cabrera when they saw him at a Phillies tryout camp in Clearwater over the winter.

“We felt he was the best pitcher in the camp that day,” said Keith Lupton, the team’s head of baseball operations.

One of the Barnstormers’ priorities was adding some depth to a bullpen that has some uncertainty. The team is counting on newcomers Franklin Mendible, Ricardo Gomez and Derek Forbes. Mendible and Forbes didn’t play professionally last season. Gomez was in the South Coast League, which is a lower level of competition.

Cabrera brings strong credentials. He’s 46-39 with a 3.21 ERA in 10 minor-league seasons. He has appeared in 198 big-league games, posting a 4.95 ERA.

All of those stats were compiled years ago, however, so it’s difficult to project how he’ll fare in the Atlantic League at this stage of his career. The Barnstormers hope he’s the eighth-inning pitcher they were lacking last season, and – if Sendy Rleal gets scooped up by an affiliated club – the closer in waiting.

Clearly, the Barnstormers are taking some risks with their relief corps. But if you’re going to take chances, that’s a good place to do it. Relievers are the hardest players to predict. If the gambles pay off, this could be an excellent pen. If not, well, you saw last season what a shaky bullpen can do to a ballclub.

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*Former Somerset star Jeff Nettles was released by the Royals. Patriots beat writer Ryan Dunleavy has the scoop here.