Richard Bleier gets call to Major Leagues
FRISCO, TEXAS (May 26, 2016) - The New York Yankees announced Thursday that they have purchased the contract of Richard Bleier, a former left-handed pitcher for the Frisco RoughRiders, the Double-A affiliate of the Texas Rangers. He was active for today's Yankees home game against the Toronto Blue Jays. Bleier is the 144th former RoughRiders player to make the big leagues.
Bleier, 29, has appeared in six games and made five starts with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre this season. He had a 2-2 record with a 2.57 ERA and 15 strikeouts to begin the year. Bleier was formerly a member of the Rangers, Blue Jays, and Washington Nationals organizations before signing as a free agent with the Yankees this past offseason.
Following the 2015 season, Bleier was named a MiLB Organization All-Star for Washington and an Eastern League Post-Season All-Star with Harrisburg.
In 116 games, 43 starts, with Frisco in parts of four seasons between 2010 and 2013, the Davie, Florida native posted a 19-26 record with a 4.78 ERA and 195 strikeouts. Bleier was named Texas League Pitcher of the Week twice on May 10, 2010 and June 6, 2011.
Bleier joins five former Riders who have made the Major Leagues for the first time this season: Nomar Mazara (2014-2015 with Frisco, debuted with Texas Rangers), Brett Nicholas (2013 with Frisco, Rangers), Cody Ege (2015 with Frisco, Miami Marlins), Matt Bush (2016 with Frisco, Rangers), and Jared Hoying (2012-2013 with Frisco, Rangers).
The Riders wrap up their six-game trip with three games in Springfield Friday through Sunday. The RoughRiders return home Tuesday, May 31 to begin a six-game homestand against the Tulsa Drillers and the Springfield Cardinals. The homestand includes Superhero Night on Saturday, June 4th. Tickets for that game and the other games on the homestand are available now online at RidersBaseball.com, via email at [email protected], over the phone at (972) 731-9200, or in-person at the RoughRiders box office.
About the RoughRiders
The Frisco RoughRiders are the Double-A affiliate of the Texas Rangers and play their games at beautiful Dr Pepper Ballpark in Frisco, Texas. The team was founded in 2003 and has finished first among all Double-A franchises in attendance in each of the last 11 seasons (2005-2015). In August 2014, the RoughRiders were purchased by an ownership group led by Chuck Greenberg and Scott Sonju. The new ownership group has spearheaded numerous major franchise improvements, from a completely new team identity to massive additions and upgrades to Dr Pepper Ballpark, including a giant new video board, sound system, sports bar, team store, improved food service and menu, and a complete overhaul of in-game entertainment. The improvements earned the Riders and the City of Frisco "Best Ballpark Renovation" of 2015 by Ballpark Digest in the under $6 million category. More than 130 former RoughRiders players have gone on to play Major League Baseball, including All-Stars Chris Davis, Elvis Andrus, Adrian Gonzalez and Ian Kinsler. For more information on the Frisco RoughRiders and Dr Pepper Ballpark, please visit RidersBaseball.com or contact Nathan Barnett at (972) 334-1976 or via e-mail at [email protected].
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