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Phillies sign Greg Burke, former Gloucester Catholic star

Greg Burke is thrilled to sign with the Phillies, his "hometown team." He's even happier to be healthy in the offseason for the first time in a few years.

Greg Burke is thrilled to sign with the Phillies, his "hometown team." He's even happier to be healthy in the offseason for the first time in a few years.

"That's the big thing for me," said Burke, a former Gloucester Catholic star who signed with the Phillies on Monday. "I finally feel good in the offseason and can get some good work in preparing for spring training."

Burke, a 33-year-old righthanded reliever, has fashioned a long professional career since graduating from Duke University in 2005.

The 6-foot-4 Burke pitched last season in the Toronto Blue Jays organization, compiling a combined 5-1 record with a 2.63 ERA between double A and triple A.

"I pitched well against the Phillies [teams]," Burke said. "I think that helped."

Burke, who has adapted a submarine-style motion, has pitched in the majors with San Diego in 2009 and the New York Mets in 2013.

In his major-league career, Burke has a 3-6 record with a 4.77 ERA with 61 strikeouts and 38 walks in 771/3 innings. Burke has undergone surgery to repair his rotator cuff and his hip in two of the last three off-seasons.

Burke, who lives in Medford, Burlington County, with his wife and two children, said proximity is a huge factor for him.

He grew up in Bellmawr Camden County, and was a Phillies fan as a youngster. At Gloucester Catholic, he was an ace pitcher for a team that went 33-1 in his senior season in 2000 and was ranked No. 1 in the nation by Baseball America.

"Most of my career has been spent out West," Burke said. "To be able to come home, that's huge."

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@PhilAnastasia