| Chris Britton | |
|---|---|
 Britton with theSan Diego Padres in 2009 spring training. | |
| Relief pitcher | |
| Born: (1982-12-16)December 16, 1982 (age 42) Hollywood, Florida, U.S. | |
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| April 12, 2006, for the Baltimore Orioles | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| September 26, 2008, for the New York Yankees | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Win–loss record | 0–3 |
| Earned run average | 3.83 |
| Strikeouts | 58 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
Christopher Daniel Britton (born December 16, 1982) is an American former right-handedMajor League Baseballrelief pitcher.
Britton attendedPlantation High School inFlorida. He was first-team All-Broward County and second team All-State.
Britton was drafted by theBaltimore Orioles in the eighth round (233rd overall) of the2001 MLB draft.[1] He spent time as a starter and reliever but was pitching exclusively out of the bullpen by 2005.[2] That year he was a Mid-Season All-Star[3] with theFrederick Keys of theCarolina League and finished the season with a 1.60 ERA and 110 strikeouts in 78.2 innings. His performance earned him Relief Pitcher of the Year as part of the inauguralThis Year in Minor League Baseball Awards.[4]
Britton started the 2006 season in Double-A with the Bowie Baysox but was promoted directly to the major league club on April 12.[5] As a rookie with the Orioles, Britton made 52 relief appearances, and was 0–2 with a 3.35 ERA while allowing 46 hits and recording 41 strikeouts and 17 walks in 53.2 innings pitched.[6]
On November 12, 2006, the Orioles traded Britton to the New York Yankees for right-handed pitcherJaret Wright and $4 million.[7] He started the season at Triple-AScranton/Wilkes-Barre but was called up on April 15, 2007, after a string of injuries to starting pitching and a pair of extra inning games.[8] He made his first appearance with the Yankees two days later, on April 17, pitching a scoreless ninth inning.[9] Britton was called up again on June 2.[10] He was recalled on August 29, 2007, withSean Henn getting sent down to Triple-A.[11]
In 2008, Britton was first recalled on May 1.[12] He spent the season bouncing between Triple-A and the majors. On June 6, 2008, Britton was placed on the disabled list with a rib cage injury.[13]
Following the 2008 season, Britton was non-tendered by the Yankees, making him a free agent.[14]
On December 19, 2008, the Padres announced the signing of Britton to a minor league deal.[15][16] He was released on May 26 after allowing 24 runs on 39 hits in just 20.2 innings between Double-A and Triple-A.[17]
Britton signed with theYork Revolution of theIndependentAtlantic League of Professional Baseball for the 2009 season.[18][19] He signed with theLincoln Saltdogs of theAmerican Association for the 2010 season.[20] He was released from the Saltdogs on June 28, 2010.[21]
At 275 pounds, Britton was one of the heaviest players in baseball. The only other major leaguers who were listed as heavy or heavier at the time wereCC Sabathia,Jonathan Broxton,Bobby Jenks,Adam Dunn, andDmitri Young.