MLB Rumors: Possible Return To Philadelphia Phillies For Chad Durbin

A former-2008 World Series Champion reliever may be returning to the city of brotherly love.

News broke on Twitter that Chad Durbin could be returning to the Philadelphia Phillies in 2013. According to Ashton Kennedy, who is a ‘family friend’ of Durbin, the Phillies will be welcoming back the former-member of the ‘Bridge to Lidge”.

Kennedy tweeted this message earlier this morning:

@akennphil4_13: Congrats to our family friend Chad Durbin, signed with the Phillies!! Time to get a 2nd World Series ring with them!

The tweet was later deleted, which leads to some speculation as to if Durbin will be returning for a second stint in Philadelphia.

A similar situation occurred almost a month ago when free-agent reliever Mike Adams‘ family used Facebook as well as told a local TV station that he has signed a three-year deal with the Phillies. The deal was reported accurately and Adams will now anchor the eighth inning roll for the Phillies bullpen.

Durbin has spent time in both the National League as well as the American League. He was drafted by the Kansas City Royals in the third round of the 1996 MLB Amateur Draft. Durbin made his major-league debut as a Royal in September of 1999.

The thirteen-year veteran has also spent time with the Cleveland Indians, Arizona Diamondbacks, and Detroit Tigers primarily as a starting pitcher. As a starter throughout his career, Durbin is 19-33 with a 5.83 ERA in 75 starts.

He then moved to the bullpen when he was acquired by the Phillies in 2008, which saved his career. Throughout three season with the Phillies, Durbin won one World Series ring and finished with a 11-7 record, a 3.62 ERA, and struck out 188 hitters.

Durbin is coming off of a productive year with the Atlanta Braves. He made 76 appearances and finished 19 games, both of which were career highs. In 61.0 innings pitched, Durbin went 4-1 with a 3.10 ERA, which was his best ERA since his 2.87 ERA season in 2008 with the Phillies.

David A. Cattai is a featured journalist with Rant Sports. Follow me on Twitter (@DCattaiSports), Facebook, and Google+ for sports updates.