Fox and Van Buren Among Those Vying for Bullpen Spot

The Chicago Tribune's Phil Rogers profiles Chad Fox and Jermaine Van Buren, both of whom are non-roster invitees this spring trying to earn a slot in the bullpen. Fox, 34, is a veteran most are familiar with. He has a lifetime 125 ERA+ in 216.1 career innings over seven seasons, but has also had off-and-on arm problems. Van Buren is a 24-year-old who has spent 6 years in the minor leagues and 2003 in an independent league. Last year, he posted a 1.87 ERA for Double-A West Tennessee with a 64/24 K/BB ratio in 53 innings. Rogers writes that "Van Buren's fastball rarely tops 90 m.p.h., and he does not have a trick pitch. He has a hitch in his delivery that seems to affect the timing of hitters, however."