Baseball: Auckland Tuatara re-sign former MLB pitcher Josh Collmenter

Josh Collmenter.
Josh Collmenter. Photo credit: Image: Getty

Former Major League pitcher and inaugural Auckland Tuatara player of the year Josh Collmenter will return to the franchise this summer for a second season in the Australian Baseball League.

Collmenter was the backbone of the fledgling club last season putting together a 3-4 record over nine starts for the Tuatara with an ERA 3.25.

The former Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander provided a wealth of leadership and experience for the young side and helped mentor many of the younger and more inexperienced players on the club’s roster.

He was named the inaugural Tuatara Player of the Year from a panel of judges that included coaches and media.

It had been thought that Collmenter would retire from the sport having sat out the 2019 season but he reached out to the club recently and a deal was immediately struck.

"I loved my time with the Tuatara last season and I feel like I want to have one more crack at earning a Major League contract," Collmenter said.

"I'm in good shape and feel I still have a bit left to offer.

"I enjoyed the brief time I had in Auckland last year and look forward to spending a full summer there this time around.

"The franchise learned a lot last year and I know we will be more competitive than we were in our first season."

Tuatara chief executive Regan Wood said he had no hesitation in offering the 33-year-old a contract.

"When a player of Josh’s standing in the game says he’d like to be part of your organisation you don’t wait for a second invitation," Wood said.

"He was terrific for us in so many areas last season and we know what we get with him – he is the consummate professional.

"Josh will be part of a formidable starting rotation for us this season and we look forward to seeing what he can do with a more competitive roster behind him than we had last season."

Newshub.