The 27-year-old Gabbard is a 6-foot-3 left-hander from Ohio. At the time of the trade, he was pitching in the minor leagues.

Last season, Gabbard had a 4.82 ERA in 12 starts. In 56 innings, he gave up 64 hits and 39 walks, while striking out 33 batters.

In 2007, prior to being traded to the Rangers, Gabbard had a 3.73 ERA with the Red Sox in seven starts. As a rookie in 2006, he had a 3.51 ERA in 25.2 innings.

While the Rangers are in need of starting pitching, Gabbard wasn’t viewed by the team as a long-term solution. In fact, Texas was trying to turn him into a reliever.

According to various reports, Gabbard will likely be kept at the minor league level by the Red Sox.

Kason Gabbard is Back with Boston (Image: Flickr)

Post from: Knuckle Curve

Considering that Sexson throwing the helmet was dangerous and how unprovoked the entire incident was, the 6-foot-8 first basemen for the Seattle Mariners got off easy. Kason Gabbard, the pitcher for the Texas Rangers who got hit the flying helmet, luckily didn’t get injured in the incident.

After the brawl was complete, a number of players got fined including Sidney Ponson of the Rangers. Ponson was perturbed with the $500 fine because he insists he didn’t do anything out of line during the brawl. Ponson said that next time he’s in a brawl, he’ll make sure to “whip somebody’s ass” to get his money’s worth.

Ponson, who has suddenly appeared out of obscurity, is off to a blazing start with the Rangers after being called up from the minors. The 31-year-old Ponson has a 1.33 ERA in his first three starts. If you’re a betting man, you might put a wager on the fiery Ponson giving Sexson chin music the next time the two face-off – real chin music this time.

Keep your helmet on, Richie.

Photo: Newscom

Post from: Knuckle Curve