| Brian Tallet | |
|---|---|
 Tallet with the Toronto Blue Jays | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: (1977-09-21)September 21, 1977 (age 47) Midwest City, Oklahoma, U.S. | |
Batted: Left Threw: Left | |
| MLB debut | |
| September 16, 2002, for the Cleveland Indians | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| August 30, 2011, for the Toronto Blue Jays | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Win–loss record | 16–25 |
| Earned run average | 4.79 |
| Strikeouts | 337 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
Brian Curtis Tallet (born September 21, 1977) is an American former professionalbaseballpitcher. Tallet played the majority of his career for theToronto Blue Jays. He also played for theSt. Louis Cardinals and theCleveland Indians. He is 6' 6" in height.[1] He pitched for theLSU Tigers and won a national championship in 2000.
Tallet was drafted in the1996,1997, and1999 drafts by theMarlins,Yankees, andPirates, respectively, but did not sign with them. Instead, he attendedHill College andLouisiana State University. In 1997 and 1998, he playedcollegiate summer baseball with theWareham Gatemen of theCape Cod Baseball League.[2]
Tallet did sign when drafted in the second round (55th overall) of the2000 MLB draft by theCleveland Indians.[1] He made his major league debut on September 16, 2002, against theBoston Red Sox. He posted six shutout innings while allowing only four hits in Cleveland's 7–1 win.[3] Tallet missed the 2004 season after havingTommy John surgery in August 2003.[4]
In his first two major league starts in 2002, Tallet had one win in 12innings pitched with a 1.50 ERA.[1] He alsostruck out five and walked four. For the2003 season, Tallet posted an 0–2 record in five games (three starts) starts while allowing 20 earned runs with a 4.74 ERA in 19 innings pitched.[1] Things did not get much better in 2005, as he compiled a 7.71 ERA in two games.[1] During his career in Cleveland, he compiled a 1–2 record with a 4.09ERA, while also striking out 16 and walking 15.
On January 16, 2006, he was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for Bubbie Buzachero.[5]
In Tallet's first season with Toronto, he went 3–0 with a 3.81 ERA in 44 games (one start).[1] Tallet made his first start of the season and in over three years on August 7, 2006, against theBaltimore Orioles. In the game, despite walking four batters in two innings, Tallet held the Orioles scoreless. He earned ano-decision in Toronto's 8–1 win.[6]
In 2007, he had a 2–4 record with a 3.47 ERA in 48 games.[1] In 2008, Tallet had a 1–2 record with a 2.88 ERA in 51 games.[1]
In February 2009, the Jays avoided salary arbitration with Tallet, signing him to a one-year contract worth $1.015 million.[7]
During the month of April, Tallet compiled a 1–1 record with a 6.45 ERA after taking over in the starting rotation forJesse Litsch.[8] After two close losses in which he was supported by only one run in each game, Tallet defeated the Boston Red Sox on May 30, who had kicked off a nine-game skid for the Jays starting from May 19 to May 27. In the game, he went seven strong innings while giving up three runs and striking out six.[8][9] During the month of May, Tallet went 2–2 with a 4.26 ERA and in only one of those starts did he give up more than three runs.[8]
On September 27, 2009, Tallet gave upMatt Tuiasosopo's first career home run, which was correctly predicted byMike Blowers in detail.[10] In 2009, Tallet pitched the most innings of his career due to his time in the starting rotation (160.2). In 37 games (25 starts), he went 7–9 with a 5.32 ERA while striking out 120 batters and walking 72.[1]
On November 11, 2010, he refused an assignment to the minors and became a free agent.[11]
On November 30, 2010, Tallet signed a one-year, $750,000 contract with theSt. Louis Cardinals.[12]
In early July 2011, Tallet strained anintercostal muscle from a heavy sneeze. After doctors examined theCT scan on the muscle strain, they saw past the rib cage and discovered that he also had cysts clinging to his kidneys. He was subsequently diagnosed withpolycystic kidney disease.[13]
On July 27, 2011, he was traded back to theToronto Blue Jays along withP. J. Walters,Colby Rasmus andTrever Miller forEdwin Jackson,Octavio Dotel,Marc Rzepczynski andCorey Patterson.[14][15]
Tallet made four rehab appearances for the Class-ADunedin Blue Jays after his acquisition, allowing one run in four innings.[16] Following a 12–0 loss to theTampa Bay Rays on August 28, Tallet was called up to the Blue Jays.Wil Ledezma was designated for assignment to make room for Tallet on the 40-man roster.[16] Tallet made his return to the Blue Jays on August 30 coming in for the 10th inning in a save situation. He blew the save and took the loss, giving up two runs on two walks and two singles while recording only one out.[17] The following day, Tallet was designated for assignment to free space for the return ofCarlos Villanueva, who had been on the 15-day disabled list since August 4.[18] He was released on September 2.
On January 28, 2012, Tallet signed a minor league contract with thePittsburgh Pirates[19] and was traded on April 7, 2012, to theSan Diego Padres.[20] Tallet began the year with Triple-ATucson. The Padres released Tallet on May 17, 2012.[21]
On May 17, 2013, Tallet signed with theLancaster Barnstormers of theAtlantic League of Professional Baseball. He became a free agent following the season. He appeared in 18 games 21.2 innings of relief going 0-1 with a 4.57 ERA and 18 strikeouts.