Just one day after the Buchbinder Legionaere Regensburg announced that Martin Almstetter will leave the club, he has found a new team. The Heidenheim Heidekoepfe signed the left-handed pitcher on Wednesday. The 30-year-old will mostly pitch in relief for the 2009 German champion since Markus Winkler and Dusty Bergman are set as starting pitchers. However in the European Cup he probably is also going to start.
Almstetter is playing in the Baseball-Bundesliga since 1998, including the last eleven years in Regensburg. He has a career ERA of 3.24 in 152 games and is also a member of the German national team. The southpaw, who had one of his career highlights during the Baseball World Cup pitching in relief against Team USA at his home ballpark, is the first new player for Heidenheim this offseason.
Earlier this winter shortstop Ryan Lilly retired, while the Heidekoepfe extended contracts with head coach Mike Hartley and Dusty Bergman. They are going to start into the new season on April 4th and 5th at home against the Saarlouis Hornets.