Mets Sign Carvajal; Designate Schmoll

Posted Saturday, February 17, 2007

Once again mining for young pitching talent, the Mets claimed righthanded pitcher Marcos Carvajal off waivers from the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. In order to make room on the Mets' 40-Man roster, the team designated righthanded pitcher Steve Schmoll for assignment. Carvajal is expected to be in major league camp in the coming days but will most likely pitch for New Orleans in 2007.

Carvajal, 22, was 2-2 with a 3.86 ERA in 38 games with Montgomery (AA) of the Southern League last year. In 72.1 innings, he allowed 69 hits, 34 runs, 31 earned, with 40 walks and 70 strikeouts.

The 6-4, 175-pounder went 0-2 with a 5.09 ERA in 39 games with the Rockies in 2005. In 53.0 innings, he yielded 52 hits, 30 runs, earned, with 21 walks and 47 strikeouts. Marcos was traded to the Seattle Mariners on December 8, 2005, before he was designated for assignment on April 1, 2006. Five days later, Carvajal was then sent to the Devil Rays in exchange for righthanded pitcher Jose de la Cruz.

In five minor league seasons, Carvajal is 12-9 with a 2.59 ERA in 121 games, 11 starts. In 257.0 innings, he's surrendered 92 runs, 74 earned, with 124 walks and 254 strikeouts.