Batista returns from Triple-A Iowa; Zastryzny placed on the Disabled List
Published on August 22, 2015 under Southern League (SL1)
Knoxville Smokies News Release
SEVIERVILLE - The Chicago Cubs announced a series of transactions that impacts their Double-A affiliate Tennessee Smokies roster prior to tonight's doubleheader against the Montgomery Biscuits at Smokies Stadium.
Right-handed starting pitcher Frank Batista has been transferred to Tennessee from Triple-A Iowa. The 27-year-old began the 2015 campaign with the Smokies, recording a 7-2 mark and 1.70 ERA (15 ER in 79.1 IP) in 13 starts being being transferred to Triple-A Iowa on June 25. At the time of his promotion, the Dominican Republic native paces the circuit in earned-run average, in addition to tied for first in wins and fourth in innings pitched (79.1) and WHIP (1.07).
Nine of Batista's 13 outings for the Smokies were quality starts, which ranked first among the circuit's active hurlers at the time of his promotion, while allowing more than two earned runs in a start just once, yielding three on May 28 versus the Mobile BayBears. The righty also tossed a seven-inning complete game shutout to earn the win on May 17 versus the Jackson Generals, and ranked third among the Southern League's starters by allowing 9.76 baserunners per nine innings, behind only Jacksonville's Kendry Flores (7.94) and Montgomery's Jared Mortensen (9.69). The righty was signed by the Cubs as a non-drafted free agent on January 18, 2009.
In a corresponding move, left-handed starting pitcher Rob Zastryzny has been placed on the Disabled List, retroactive to August 21. In 14 starts with Tennessee, the southpaw has compiled a 2-5 record and 6.23 ERA (42 ER in 60.2 IP). Prior to this season, the lefty was rated the top left-handed hurler in the Cubs organization by Baseball America, and was selected by the Cubs in the second round of the 2013 MLB Draft out of the University of Missouri.
Tennessee's roster now stands at 25 players, along with six players on the Disabled List, and a revised roster is attached.
The Smokies are set to face off against the Biscuits in their twinbill this evening, with the start time for game one set for 5:35 p.m. The nightcap will begin approximately 30 minutes after the conclusion of game one, with both matchups lasting seven innings. Tennessee is slated to send LHP Jeffry Antigua to the hill in game one, with Montgomery slated to give the ball to RHP Jared Mortensen. RHP Fernando Cruz is anticipated to toe the rubber in the nightcap, while the Biscuits have not yet announced a starter.
Tickets for all remaining home contests at Smokies Stadium are still available and can be purchased online at smokiesbaseball.com, or by calling the Smokies Ticket Office at 865-286-2300.
Southern League Stories from August 22, 2015
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- Wahoos Take Series against Lookouts - Pensacola Blue Wahoos
- Tennessee and Montgomery Split Series-Ending Twinbill - Knoxville Smokies
- Williams to New Orleans; Jose to Jacksonville - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
- Batista returns from Triple-A Iowa; Zastryzny placed on the Disabled List - Knoxville Smokies
- BayBears Salvage Series with Doubleheader Split - Mobile BayBears
- Late Theatrics Give Shuckers A 2-1 Win Series Finale At Jackson - Biloxi Shuckers
- Suns Split Twin Bill with BayBears 5-0, 1-0 - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
- M-Braves Claim Series, Defeat Barons - Mississippi Braves
- Shuckers Take Win from Diaz, Generals - Jackson Generals
- Blue Wahoos Homestand Highlights August 23-27 - Pensacola Blue Wahoos
- C.J. Robinson to Jacksonville - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
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