Santiago, Eigsti Return to Active Roster
August 3, 2010 - Texas League (TL1)
Northwest Arkansas Naturals News Release
SPRINGDALE, AR - The Kansas City Royals announced four transactions on Tuesday afternoon affecting the Naturals roster. The related details are as follows:
Right-hander Mario Santiago has been activated from the temporary inactive list and will start Tuesday evening against the Tulsa Drillers. Santiago had been away from the team since the second week of July to facilitate his participation in the 2010 Central American and Caribbean Games, where he represented his native Puerto Rico alongside, amongst others, former Naturals' infielder Irving Falu. Santiago pitched twice for Puerto Rico and did very well, but Puerto Rico lost in the Bronze Medal game. The Dominican Republic defeated Mexico for the Gold Medal.
Drafted by the Kansas City Royals in the 16th round of the 2005 draft, Santiago is 6-6 overall this season with a 3.09 ERA, good for the eighth-best mark in the league for earned run average. He's allowed 90 hits in 90 1/3 innings while fanning 56 and issuing 23 walks in 17 games (16 starts).
Catcher Ryan Eigsti (right forearm fracture) has been activated from the disabled list after completing a rehab assignment with the Surprise Royals, Kansas City's rookie-ball affiliate in the Arizona League. He batted .280 with a double and two RBI in eight games with Surprise. The 24-year old defensive-minded backstop was on the Naturals' opening day roster and appeared in only three games before suffering the injury when he was hit by a pitch during the season's first homestand. The Eureka, IL resident was the Royals' 15th round selection in the 2007 draft.
In a corresponding move, catcher Ben Theriot has been re-assigned to Class-A Burlington (IA). The Royals' ninth-round selection in last June's draft out of Texas State University, the 22-year old Theriot has split the 2010 season between the Naturals and Wilmington, batting .310 with a double and five RBI in 19 games in Northwest Arkansas. The left-handed hitter also has hit .269 with six RBI in 20 games for the Blue Rocks.
To make room for Santiago on the Naturals' roster, the Royals announced that right-hander Chris Chavez has been released from the organization. Signed as a non-drafted free agent in June 2006, the 25-year old resident of Kingman, AZ has struggled most of this season, posting a 2-0 record and a 7.31 ERA in 20 relief appearances with the Naturals this season. He issued 21 walks and recorded 21 strikeouts in 32 innings of work. Chavez owns a 21-7 record, nine saves, and a 3.52 ERA in 113 career appearances (16 starts) in the minor leagues.
After the moves, the Naturals' roster remains at the Texas League limit of 24 active players.
• Discuss this story on the Texas League message board...
Texas League Stories from August 3, 2010
- St. Louis Starter Kyle Lohse Coming to Springfield - Springfield Cardinals
- Series Preview: Naturals Host Tulsa - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Drillers Hosting Cardinals August 6-9 - Tulsa Drillers
- Santiago, Eigsti Return to Active Roster - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Beltre Blazing A Trail To The Majors - Frisco RoughRiders
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
