Phillies news and rumors 2/14: David Buchanan returns to organization after successful stretch in Korea, Japan

The Phillies appeared to play their own version of “Remember Some Guys” on Tuesday as they announced the signing of right-hander David Buchanan to a minor-league deal with an invite to major-league spring training.

And while it was a name most Phillies fans haven’t thought about since he last pitched in Philadelphia in 2015, Buchanan hasn’t just reemerged in affiliated baseball out of nowhere. The 34-year-old is coming off a successful seven-year stint in Asia, pitching in both Japan and South Korea.

Buchanan was drafted by the Phillies in the seventh round in 2010 and broke into the big leagues in 2014. He had a productive rookie season with a 3.75 ERA in 20 starts, but his sophomore campaign was disastrous. Buchanan had a 6.99 ERA in 15 starts in 2015, then spent the entirety of the next season in Triple-A.

After being released by Philadelphia following the 2016 season, Buchanan signed a deal in Japan to play for the Tokyo Yakult Swallows of Nippon Professional Baseball. After posting a 4.07 ERA in three years in Tokyo, he headed to South Korea to pitch for the Samsung Lions of the Korea Baseball Organization League.

Buchanan broke out for the Lions, posting a 3.45 ERA in his first season in 2020 before co-leading the KBO in wins with 16 in 2021. He then posted back-to-back All-Star seasons in 2022 and 2023, finishing his four-year tenure with Samsung with a 3.02 ERA in 113 starts.

Now, Buchanan heads back to the United States, competing for a spot in the Phillies organization for the regular season. The club has a need for depth in both the rotation and in long relief, two areas the veteran righty might be able to contribute. Of course, Buchanan will have to establish himself in affiliated baseball once again in order to land such an opportunity. But if things break his way, perhaps the next stop in Buchanan’s journey is a season back where it all started.

Must-Read (or Watch) Phillies Content

• The Phillies made a number of roster moves
  on Tuesday, including the signing of Buchanan.
• It’s been a wild offseason for one player who was designated for assignment by the Phillies.
• Former Phillies Michael Lorenzen and Noah Syndergaard have been receiving interest in free agency.
• Pitchers and catchers started working out on Wednesday (with some slightly different uniforms):

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