Former Phillies pitcher Therrien signs with Frontier League’s Trois-Rivieres Aigles

April 22, 2023

By Kevin Glew

Cooperstowners in Canada

Former Philadelphia Phillies right-hander Jesen Therrien (Montreal, Que.) has signed with the Trois-Rivières Aigles of the independent Frontier League.

The Aigles made the announcement on Thursday.

Therrien, 30, made 15 major league relief appearances for the Phillies in 2017 and posted an 8.35 ERA, while striking out 10 batters, in 18 1/3 innings.

Aigles GM Matthew Rusch described the signing as “possibly the biggest in the history” of the young Aigles franchise. He says Therrrien will likely be used as a closer with the club.

Last fall, Therrien resigned from his position as executive director of Baseball Academy of Canada (ABC) to focus on a major league comeback.

The 6-foot-3 righty has not pitched in a professional game since undergoing Tommy John surgery in the fall of 2017. Therrien hopes his tenure with the Aigles will be his first step towards a big league return.

“I am very grateful for the opportunity offered by the Aigles,” said Therrien in a translated news release on the Aigles website. “It’s obvious that I’d like to go back to the majors, but before I think that, I have to prove that I’m back in great shape. I can’t wait to prove myself in front of the electrifying crowd of Trois-Rivières!”

Scouted by Canadian Alex Agostino, Therrien was selected in the 17th round of the 2011 MLB draft by the Phillies. He spent parts of six seasons rising through the Phillies’ minor league ranks before enjoying a breakout campaign in double-A and triple-A in 2017, posting a combined 1.41 ERA and striking out 65 batters in 57-1/3 innings.

“Betting on a former major league player is always something memorable for an independent baseball franchise,” said Jérôme Duchesneau, Aigles general manager, sales and baseball, in a translated release on the Aigles site. “And as a bonus, that it’s a Quebecer who grew up in the provincial baseball system, it’s simply amazing!”

The Aigles’ training camp will begin on April 30 in preparation for the franchise’s second Frontier League season.