Blaine Neal

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Blaine Neal (born April 6, 1978 in Marlton, New Jersey) is a relief pitcher in Major League Baseball who plays for the Toronto Blue Jays. Previously, Neal played with the Florida Marlins (2001- 03), San Diego Padres (2004), Boston Red Sox (early 2005),Colorado Rockies (2005) and St. Louis Cardinals (2006). He bats left handed and throws right handed.

In a four-season majors career, Neal has compiled a 4-1 record with a 4.62 ERA and 101.3 innings in 94 games. He has a 2.10 strikeout-to-walk ratio (82-to-39).

Neal throws a 94 mph fastball, with a good slider and a sinker. He pitched a career-high 40 games in 2004 with San Diego and went 1-1 with a 4.07 ERA but was in a competition with several others for the final spot on the pitching staff. He spent the previous three seasons with Florida, and compiled a 3-0 record in 54 total appearances. The 6'5 righthander is 23-14 with 73 saves and a 2.61 ERA in 234 career minor league appearances, all but five in relief.

Neal attended Bishop Eustace Preparatory School in Pennsauken, NJ and graduated in 1996.

[edit] Note

Before the 2005 season, Boston acquired Neal from San Diego in exchange for outfielder Adam Hyzdu. Neal is out of options so the Red Sox would have to keep him on their major league roster or place him on waivers where he could be claimed by another team.