SAL1 Charleston RiverDogs

All-Star Corona returns from disabled list

Published on June 14, 2006 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Charleston RiverDogs News Release


CHARLESTON, SC - The New York Yankees announced Wednesday that all-star utility infielder Reegie Corona has been activated from the disabled list and that utility man Tony Roth has been assigned to Staten Island of the New York-Penn League.

Earlier this week, the RiverDogs added pitchers Erick Abreu and Juan Velazquez along with catcher Kevin Nelson. Pitchers Jason Stephens and Garrett Patterson were placed on the disabled list while outfielder James Cooper was sent to Staten Island.

Corona, voted to the South Atlantic League's Southern Division in next week's All-Star Game in East Lake, OH, has been on the disabled list since May 24 with a shoulder injury. The 19-year-old, who would rank among the league leaders in batting average if he met the minimum plate appearance requirement, is hitting .338 with five doubles, two home runs and 17 RBI.

In 40 games played this season, Corona has accumulated 16 multi-hit and five multi-RBI games. The utility player has started at second base, third base, shortstop, left field, and right field this season for the RiverDogs.

Abreu, a highly-touted right-hander, joined the RiverDogs from the Yankees' extended spring training. The right-handed pitcher missed the entire 2005 season with a stress fracture in his elbow, yet prior to the injury, the 22-year-old had been regarded as one of the Yankees' top pitching prospects.

In three professional seasons, Abreu had compiled a 15-4 career record with a 1.76 ERA in 39 games (20 starts). He pitched a complete game shutout for the Tampa Yankees of the Florida State League in 2004.

Nelson, who was on Charleston's opening day roster in 2005, joins the RiverDogs from Staten Island's roster. Nelson had spent time in AAA and AA this season as a backup catcher, but appeared in only two games. In 2005, Nelson played in four games before suffering a season-ending injury in May.

Velazquez, a right-handed pitcher, was selected by the Yankees in the 46th round of the 2004 first-year player draft out of Southwestern College. The 22-year-old made his professional debut in 2005 with the Gulf Coast Yankees, posting a 1-0 record with a 1.96 ERA in 10 appearances out of the bullpen.

Stephens returns to the disabled list for the second time this season with arm tightness. The right-handed starter has appeared in eight games this season and compiled a 4-1 record 1.80 ERA.

Patterson, who joined the RiverDogs from Tampa on May 10, has been placed on the disabled list with a hamstring injury. For Charleston this season, he was 0-2 with a 4.68 ERA in seven appearances.

Roth, who started at four different positions for the RiverDogs this season, has been assigned to Staten Island. The utility player was an unlikely hero May 20 after pitching two shutout innings and scoring the game-winning run in an 18-inning victory over Rome. In 24 games with Charleston, Roth was batting .203 with six RBI.

Cooper appeared in nine games for Charleston after joining the team on May 24. The outfielder was batting .174 with a double and two RBI.

The RiverDogs continue the homestand tonight with a 7:05 contest against the Greenville Drive. After getting rained out Tuesday night, the two teams will play two seven-inning games on Thursday at Riley Park. The gates open at 4:00 with Thursday's first game set to begin at 5:05 and game two to start approximately 30 minutes following the conclusion of the first.

For tickets or more information, please call 843/723-7241 or log on to www.riverdogs.com.

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South Atlantic League Stories from June 14, 2006


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