Diamondbacks exercise option on Rauch

Oct 31, 2008 - 11:05 PM PHOENIX (Ticker) - The Arizona Diamondbacks exercised relief pitcher Jon Rauch's $2.9 million contract option for 2010 on Friday.

The 30-year-old righthander served as the Washington Nationals' closer for most of the first half of the season before being dealt to Arizona in July. Between the two stints, he was 4-8 with a 4.14 ERA, striking out 66 and walking just 16 in 71 2/3 innings.

However, he didn't provide the bullpen relief that the Diamondbacks hoped for, consistently struggling down the stretch as the team slipped out of the playoff picture. He went 0-6 with a 7.65 ERA over the final two months of the season.

In six MLB seasons, he is 24-23 with a 3.83 ERA and 24 saves.