Nelson signs minor league contract with BoSox

Posted Feb 2, 2010 by Roger Mooney

Updated Feb 2, 2010 at 10:37 AM

Joe Nelson attended the baseball winter meetings in Indianapolis last December and was a familiar face in the hotel lobby as he tried to arrange meetings with general managers in a quest to find work this season.

Looks like the effort paid off.

The former Ray signed a minor league deal Monday with the Boston Red Sox and will have a chance to make the team during spring training.

Nelson, who signed a one-year, $1.3 million contract with Tampa Bay in December of 2008, appeared in 42 games for the Rays last season. He was 3-0 with three saves but was optioned to Triple A Durham on Aug. 1 to make room for Jeff Bennett. He was then designated for assignment on Sept. 1 to make room on the 40-man roster for Sean Rodriguez, who was acquired from the Angels in the Scott Kazmir trade.

Nelson’s oft-injured, oft-traveled career made for interesting copy during spring training as did his unusual “Vulcan” grip on his change-up. He quickly became the spokesman for the bullpen during the regular season.

But his habit of allowing home runs (seven) and an 8.53 ERA in 12 2/3 appearances in May derailed his time with the Rays.