Bannister activated; De La Vara to DL
Published on August 15, 2009 under Texas League (TL1)
Northwest Arkansas Naturals News Release
Right-hander John Bannister, acquired by the Royals earlier this week and assigned to Northwest Arkansas, officially was added to the active roster Saturday.
Bannister, a 25-year old resident of Tucson, AZ, was acquired off of outright waivers from the Texas Rangers and placed on the Royals' 40-man roster. He has seen Texas League action in portions of the past two seasons with the Frisco RoughRiders and also spent a portion of this season with Triple-A Oklahoma City, the Rangers' top affiliate in the Pacific Coast League. He was 3-3 with a 6.30 ERA in 24 games with Frisco and posted no record with a 5.40 ERA in 14 games with Oklahoma City. The 6'4, 215 lb. Bannister was designated for assignment by the Rangers on August 5th.
He fills the active roster spot of left-handed reliever Gilbert De La Vara, who was placed on the seven-day disabled list, retroactive to August 13th, with a right thigh contusion. The 24-year old De La Vara has appeared in 34 games for the Naturals this season, including one start, and has posted a 6-1 record and a 5.48 ERA with two saves in 64 innings pitched. The southpaw is in his second season with the Naturals but spent a portion of the 2007 season at the Double-A level as well. The Tucson, AZ resident was the Royals' 15th round selection in the 2004 draft.
Bannister will wear jersey # 37 with the Naturals. The Naturals roster remains at the Texas League limit of 24 active players.
Texas League Stories from August 15, 2009
- Frisco offensive onslaught buries Naturals - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- DeLome, Meyer, Perez Drop Cards - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Wimberly Haunts Drillers - Tulsa Drillers
- Cards Get Hooked on Saturday - Springfield Cardinals
- Sweep Not in the Cards - San Antonio Missions
- Series Preview: Second-place Frisco comes to town - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Bannister activated; De La Vara to DL - Northwest Arkansas Naturals
- Hooks Quiet Travs Friday 6-2 - Arkansas Travelers
- Hooks Pack Travelers - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Holcomb's 12th Inning Slam Gives Drillers Win - Tulsa Drillers
- Cards and Missions Split Double-Header - Springfield Cardinals
- 12th Inning Slam Buries Frisco - Frisco RoughRiders
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