Kings Shake Up Second-half Roster
June 25, 2009 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Clinton LumberKings News Release
Clinton, IA - The Clinton LumberKings, in conjunction with the Seattle Mariners have announced several roster moves that have occurred over the All-Star Break.
Right-hander Maikel Cleto was added to the roster effective June 22. He had been listed on Clinton's inactive list and was recently moved to the disabled list. The 20-year-old from Santo Domingo, DR made one rehab start in Peoria, AZ prior to coming off the DL. He was acquired from the New York Mets as part of a three-team, 12-player deal on December 10, 2008. Cleto went 5-11 with a 4.25 ERA in 25 games, 22 starts with low-A Savannah last season, prior to a one-game promotion to St. Lucie. Cleto is expected to join the LumberKings' starting rotation.
The Kings have also made changes to their catching corps. Travis Howell was sent to the disabled list retroactive to June 20, while recently-acquired catcher Tommy Johnson has been sent to short-A Pulaski. Veteran catcher Fleming Baez joins the LumberKings by way of triple-A Tacoma.
Baez, 27, suits up for the LumberKings for the second time. Originally signed by the Texas Rangers, Baez played in their system from 1999 to 2003, making a stop with Clinton in that final 2003 season. He went 0-for-2 in two pinch-hit at-bats. The Mariners signed Baez out of independent ball prior to 2008. He hit .191 with a home run and 16 RBI with short-A Everett last year and has made brief stops with High Desert and Tacoma this season.
To make room on the 25-man roster, struggling third-baseman Mario Martinez has been sent to short-A Everett, effective June 23. Martinez, 19, hit .214 with two home runs and 24 RBI in 61 games with Clinton.
Rounding out the moves, right-hander Alfredo Venegas is back on the Clinton roster after a brief transfer to short-A Pulaski. He's 2-2 with a 3.44 ERA in seven starts with the LumberKings this year.
The updates give the LumberKings a total of 25 active players, four listed on the disabled list. Baez and Cleto have not yet selected numbers, while Venegas will again wear #31.
The LumberKings open the second half of the season against the Beloit Snappers tonight at Alliant Energy Field, first pitch scheduled for 7:00 PM. Listen to the game on AM 1390 KCLN in Clinton or live on the web at www.kcln.com.
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