Beavers announce roster moves

Published on May 27, 2004 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Portland Beavers News Release


PORTLAND, Ore. - The Portland Beavers announced today that the San Diego Padres have purchased the contract of right-hander Brian Sweeney.

The Beavers also announced that right-hander Steve Watkins has been transferred to Portland from Class AA Mobile.

Sweeney, who led the Beavers in wins with a 5-2 record and a 3.54 ERA (21er, 53.1ip) in nine starts, made his major league debut in 2003 with the Seattle Mariners, posting no record and a 1.93 ERA (2er, 9.1ip) in five relief appearances.

Acquired from the Mariners with infielder Jeff Cirillo and cash considerations in exchange for right-hander Kevin Jarvis, catcher Wiki Gonzalez, infielder Dave Hansen and outfielder Vince Faison on January 6, 2004, Sweeney appeared in four games (1 start) for the Padres in spring training, going 0-0 with a 3.00 ERA (2er, 6.0ip).

Sweeney, 29, picked up wins in five straight starts with the Beavers, April 19-May 10, posting a 1.67 ERA (6er, 32.1ip) in those appearances. He was named the Pacific Coast League Pitcher of the Week on April 26 after going 2-0 with a 0.75 ERA (1er, 12.0ip) in wins over Las Vegas and Salt Lake the week prior.

Sweeney takes the roster spot of right-hander Jake Peavy, who was placed on the 15-day disabled list (retroactive to May 20) with a strained flexor tendon in his right forearm.

Watkins, 25, was 3-3 with a 4.21 ERA (24er, 51.1ip) in nine starts with the BayBears to begin the season.

A 16th-round selection of the Padres in the 1998 draft, Watkins appeared with both Mobile and Portland last season, going a combined 6-4 with a 3.95 (56er, 127.2ip) ERA in 32 appearances. He made all 18 of his starts at Mobile before being transferred to Portland, where he was 1-0 with a 3.08 ERA (9er, 26.1ip) in 14 relief appearances.

He earned his first Triple-A win on July 23 at Sacramento last season, allowing one run in 4.0 innings of relief work in the Beavers' 10-3 victory.

Watkins will join the Beavers starting rotation and is scheduled to start Friday night when the team opens a four-game series at Tucson.

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Pacific Coast League Stories from May 27, 2004


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