Former big leaguer joins pitching staff

(Central Islip, N.Y., July 19, 2013) – The Long Island Ducks today announced the signing of pitcher Danny Herrera. The southpaw begins his first season with the Ducks and in the Atlantic League.

“With Eric Niesen being signed by the Red Sox, we were hoping to add another left-hander to our bullpen,” says Ducks president and general manager Michael Pfaff. “Danny has had success at every level throughout his career, and we are excited to have him join our staff.”

Herrera spent parts of four seasons in the Major Leagues (2008-11), pitching for the Cincinnati Reds, Milwaukee Brewers and New York Mets. In 131 career games, he has a 3.72 ERA and 71 strikeouts over 101 and two-thirds innings. A native of Texas, he made his big league debut on June 3, 2008 and pitched a scoreless inning against the Philadelphia Phillies, striking out Ryan Howard and Pat Burrell.

The 28-year-old has played seven seasons of professional baseball and has a career minor league record of 21-15 with a 2.73 ERA and 19 saves in 191 games (seven starts). He spent the 2012 season with Buffalo (AAA, Mets) and posted a 1.50 ERA and one save in three games. The 5-foot-6-inch lefty is one of only a handful of players that throws a true screwball, which he developed in college at the University of New Mexico. Herrera was originally drafted by the Texas Rangers in the 45th round of the 2006 amateur draft.

The Long Island Ducks are members of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball and play their home games at Bethpage Ballpark. For further information, call (631) 940-DUCK or visit www.liducks.com.

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