On Monday, the Rockland Boulders announced the signing of  pitcher Jordan Wellander. A 6'3" righty, Wellander enters his first season with the Boulders in 2017, but his sixth overall year in professional baseball. The signing completes a trade with the Gateway Grizzlies of the Frontier League that saw Elvin Soto leave Rockland.

"This trade works because it will give Elvin a chance to play everyday," said Boulders manager Jamie Keefe. "In return, we picked up a big arm that should fill in to a big role in that bullpen."

Wellander made his professional debut in 2012 with the Sioux Falls Pheasants of the American Association, pitching in only six games. His first full season of work came a year later with the Lake Erie Crushers of the independent Frontier League. The hurler appeared in 35 games out of the bullpen, posting a 4-2 record with four saves and a 2.31 ERA.

He would go on to pitch three more seasons in the Frontier League with the Joliet Slammers (2014-15) and Gateway (2015-16). Wellander's best year was last summer when he garnered a 2-1 record with two saves and a 2.23 ERA in 30 relief appearances.