2006 Topps 52 Signatures #52S-SM Scott Mathieson

Reliever Scott Mathieson was released yesterday and the story on the Phillies website declared that the release was granted so that Mathieson could "pursue an opportunity to pitch with a professional team in Asia."  I find that to be a little cryptic.  Is he headed to Japan?  South Korea?  Taiwan?  The wording makes it seem as if Mathieson doesn't actually have anything locked up yet, but he's going to travel to the continent and peddle his wares.

The Phils selected Mathieson in the June 2002 draft and he made it into 15 games with the team in 2006, 2010 and 2011.  Along the way he had three right elbow surgeries, including two Tommy John procedures.

Mathieson has been included within the Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs' team sets over the past two seasons, but the Asia-bound righty hasn't appeared in a baseball card set as a Phillie since way back in 2006.

Moving On

Dane Sardinha (10-11) 10/10/11 - Filed for free agency

Brandon Moss (11) 10/17/11 - Outrighted to Lehigh Valley and filed for free agency

Brad Lidge (08-11) 10/24/11 - Team option declined

Roy Oswalt (10-11) 10/24/11 - Team option declined

Ross Gload (10-11) 10/30/11 - Filed for free agency

Raul Ibanez (09-11) 10/30/11 - Filed for free agency

Ryan Madson (03-11) 10/30/11 - Filed for free agency

Jimmy Rollins (00-11) 10/30/11 - Filed for free agency

Juan Perez (11) 11/2/11 - Became a minor league free agent

Scott Mathieson (06, 10-11) 11/29/11 - Released

Coming Back

Pete Orr (11) 11/3/11 - Re-signed by the Phillies as a minor league free agent with an invitation to Spring Training

Brian Schneider (10-11) 11/17/11 - Re-signed by the Phillies to a one-year contract

New Additions

Jim Thome (03-05) 11/5/11 - Signed as a free agent formerly with the Cleveland Indians

Jonathan Papelbon 11/14/11 - Signed as a free agent formerly with the Boston Red Sox

Ty Wigginton 11/20/11 - Acquired with cash from the Colorado Rockies for a player to be named later or cash