MiLB VAVEL

Diamondbacks Sign Right-handed hurler Rob Wort From Independent Baseball

After being released by the Washington Nationals' organization this past March, 25-year-old right-handed pitcher Rob Wort signed a deal with the Sioux City Explorers of the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball. His impressive work out of the bullpen this season has been rewarded -- as his contract was purchased by the Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday evening.

Photo Credit: Paul Chaplin, PennLive.com

By Anton JoeAugust 12, 2014 4:22 PM ET

The Arizona Diamondbacks purchased the contract of right-handed pitcher Rob Wort from the Sioux City Explorers of the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball on Monday evening. He is expected to be assigned to Short-Season Class-A Hillsboro.

Wort becomes the fourth American Association player to be purchased by the Diamondbacks this season, including his former Sioux City teammate infielder Nate Samson.

Wort, 25, had an impressive season for Sioux City this year. He played 24 games with the club and posted a stellar 0.97 ERA in 37 innings of work out of the bullpen. He also struck out 58 batters and walked just 14 en route to a 2-1 record.

Wort spent 2009-2013 playing in the Washington Nationals' organization, after the club drafted him in the 30th round of the 2009 MLB Draft. In those five seasons, he posted a combined 3.20 ERA in 205 1/3 innings of work. He also had 262 strikeouts to go along with a 15-10 record.