SL1 Knoxville Smokies

Fox, Johnson Headed Back To Smokies Park

Published on May 8, 2008 under Southern League (SL1)
Knoxville Smokies News Release


SEVIERVILLE, Tenn. -- The Tennessee Smokies Professional Baseball Club, the Class AA Southern League affiliate of the Chicago Cubs, added outfielder Jake Fox and pitcher Grant Johnson to the active roster Thursday. In related roster moves, the Smokies placed reliever Ed Campusano on the disabled list and released infielder Issmael Salas.

Fox comes to Smokies Park after spending the first part of the 2008 season in Triple-A Iowa. In 29 games up in Iowa, Fox was hitting .222 with six home runs. His 26 RBIs were tied for seventh in the Pacific Coast League. Last year, Fox pounded Southern League pitching as a member of the Smokies to the tune of 18 home runs and 60 RBIs in 91 games, before being called up to the majors on July 19. The Indiana native was a third-round pick of the Chicago Cubs in the 2003 draft.

A second-round pick of the Cubs in the 2004 draft, Johnson was activated from the disabled list Thursday. In 28 appearances for the Smokies last year, Johnson went 1-1 with a 4.37 ERA. He was a second-round pick of the Cubs in the 2004 draft.

Campusano heads to the disabled list after making 12 appearances for Tennessee this year. In 11.1 innings pitched, the Dominican native went 1-3 with a 6.35 ERA, while striking out eight and walking 10.

Salas was released by the Smokies Thursday after playing in 133 games for the team between 2007 and 2008. He hit .247 a year ago for the team with eight home runs and 53 RBIs, but was only hitting at a .227 clip this year, with no home runs and three RBIs. Signed by the Cubs as a non-drafted free agent out of high school in 2001, Salas proved very useful in the field as he played multiple infield positions for the Smokies.

Tennessee finishes up a five-game series in Chattanooga Friday night at 7:15 p.m. The Smokies then return home on Saturday, May 10 against the Huntsville Stars at 7:15 p.m. Tickets can be purchased by calling (865) 286-2300 or ordering online at www.smokiesbaseball.com.

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Southern League Stories from May 8, 2008


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