PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 7 (UPI) -- The Philadelphia Phillies took a step toward shoring up their bullpen Saturday, re-signing lefthander Dan Plesac to a one-year, $2 million contract.
After being acquired from Toronto in May, Plesac made 41 appearances for Philadelphia, posting a 2-1 record with one save and a 4.70 ERA. The lefthander, who turns 41 in February, held opponents to a .190 average and on Aug. 28 became the seventh pitcher to reach 1,000 career appearances.
"At this point in my career, it's not just about playing but being a part of something special," Plesac said. "I wanted one last grasp at that feeling but following the season, I felt comfortable with retiring, although I was kind of waiting for something to grab me to get me back."
Plesac becomes the third free agent to sign with Philadelphia, joining third baseman David Bell and first baseman Jim Thome.
"I promised (general manager) Ed Wade and (manager) Larry Bowa that if I was going to play next year, it would be with the Phillies and when they signed Bell and Thome, it was obvious they meant business in putting a team on the field," he said. "In my heart, I feel something special is happening in Philadelphia and I want to be a part of it."
In 1,006 career games with Milwaukee, the Chicago Cubs, Pittsburgh, Toronto, Arizona and Philadelphia, Plesac has a record of 63-70 with 156 saves and a 3.67 ERA.
