Veronee out for season, Dechristofaro leaves on bereavement; Broncos sign LHP Thomas Vessella
Written by Post Public Information Representative, Jul 1, 2010, 0 Comments
Courtesy Danny Angel,
The Broncos, badly in need of relief pitching, after RHP Brandon Veronee was ruled out for the season when the results of his MRI on his right elbow came back and showed a complete tear of his UCL. Veronee was released by the Broncos and will return home. Veronee only pitched 2.1 innings for the Broncos and had allowed one unearned run. He allowed two hits and walked three while striking out three.
LHP Vinnie Dechristofaro was placed on the inactive list Wednesday for bereavement leave. Dechistofaro left the Broncos while the team was in Harlingen taking on the White Wings to return home for a family emergency and there is no time table as of now for his return. Dechristofaro was a work horse for the Broncos bullpen. He had appeared in a United League leading 19 games. Dechistofaro had a record of 0-4 with a 6.59 ERA while allowing 12 runs, 10 earned, 12 hits, he walked six and struck out 13.
To fill the need for left handed relief the Broncos have moved LHP Brian Buchanan to the bullpen permanently and announce the signing of LHP Thomas Vessella to a 2010 contract. Vessella played at Whittier College in California and was drafted by the Houston Astros in the 11th round of the 2006 Amateur draft. After three years in the Houston organization Vessella spent last season with the Lake Erie Crushers of the Frontier League in 2009.
In four professional season Vessella has a career 4-15 record with a 5.19 ERA in 36 games, 31 of those were starts for Vessella.