Brett Tomko

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Brett Tomko bigraphy, stories - American baseball player

Brett Tomko : biography

April 7, 1973 –

Brett Daniel Tomko (born April 7, 1973 in Euclid, Ohio) is an American professional baseball pitcher with the York Revolution of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. He has played for the Cincinnati Reds, San Diego Padres, Seattle Mariners, St. Louis Cardinals, San Francisco Giants, Los Angeles Dodgers, Kansas City Royals, New York Yankees, Oakland Athletics, and the Texas Rangers.

Major League Baseball

Cincinnati Reds

Tomko made his first major league appearance, and first major league start, against the Philadelphia Phillies on May 27, 1997. He pitched 6 innings and gave up 2 runs while taking the loss in the Reds 2-1 defeat.

He got his first victory in his next start on June 6, against the New York Mets. He pitched 6 innings, gave up one run and struck out seven in the Reds 5-2 victory.

He remained in the Reds starting rotation for three seasons.

Seattle Mariners

He was traded on February 10, , to the Seattle Mariners, along with Antonio Pérez, Jake Meyer, and Mike Cameron for Ken Griffey, Jr.. Seattle used him primarily as a reliever and spot starter during the next two seasons. He also spent some time with Seattle’s Triple-A team in Tacoma in both 2000 & .

San Diego Padres

On December 11, 2001, the Mariners traded Tomko (along with Ramón Vázquez, Tom Lampkin and cash) to the San Diego Padres in exchange for Wascar Serrano, Alex Arias and Ben Davis. He returned to the starting rotation with San Diego, making 32 starts, his most since with the Reds.

St. Louis Cardinals

He was traded again, almost exactly a year later (December 15, ) to the St. Louis Cardinals for Mike Wodnicki and Luther Hackman. Tomko won 13 games in his only season in St. Louis.

San Francisco Giants

He signed with the San Francisco Giants as a free agent prior to the season and pitched with them for two seasons. Tomko’s tenure with the Giants effectively ended when the team declined to offer him salary arbitration before the season.

Los Angeles Dodgers

On December 21, , he agreed to a two-year contract worth a reported $8.7 million with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He pitched both as a starter and a reliever during his two seasons in Los Angeles. During his time with the Dodgers, Tomko’s poor pitching and propensity to give up home runs led to Dodger fans giving him the nickname "Bombko".

He was designated for assignment on August 24, , after a poor season with the Dodgers in which he went 2-11 with a 5.80 ERA in 33 games (15 starts).

San Diego Padres (second stint)

After being designated for assignment by the Dodgers, he was signed by the San Diego Padres on September 4, 2007.

Kansas City Royals

On January 20, he signed with the Kansas City Royals.

On June 12, 2008, the Royals designated Tomko for assignment and on June 20, 2008, he was released.

San Diego Padres (3rd stint)

He signed with the San Diego Padres on June 27, 2008, but was released on September 1.

New York Yankeess

On February 13, 2009, the New York Yankees signed Tomko to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training. He began the season with Triple-A Scranton. He was called up by the Yankees on May 9. Tomko was designated for assignment on July 21, 2009, to make room on the roster for Sergio Mitre. He criticized the Yankees for not using him enough, despite his excellent spring training and minor league numbers, and said his 5.25 ERA was due to a lack of use.http://www.lohud.com/article/20090722/SPORTS01/907220371 He was released on July 29.

Oakland Athletics

He then signed with Oakland Athletics. On August 17, 2009, Tomko defeated the Yankees in his first start for Oakland. He resigned with Oakland during the 2009-2010 offseason and rehabbed with the Sacramento River Cats.

Texas Rangers

On February 19, 2011, the Texas Rangers signed Tomko to a minor league contract with no invitation to spring training. On April 20, the Rangers purchased his contract from the minors and called him up., Associated Press, April 20, 2011. He was outrighted to Triple-A on May 27. After the 2011 season, he elected for free agency.