Beavers Announce Several Roster Moves

June 9, 2003 - Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Portland Beavers News Release


PORTLAND, Ore. - The Portland Beavers today announced a series of roster moves as they begin their eight-game roadtrip.

The Beavers announced Monday that right-hander Jay Witasick and left-hander Kevin Walker were recalled from their rehabilitation assignments with Portland and were reinstated from the 60-day disabled list. Walker was then optioned to Portland while Witasick will join the Padres. Additionally, right-hander Brandon Villafuerte, who was reinstated from the 15-day disabled list after a rehab stint at Class A Lake Elsinore, was outrighted to the Beavers after being recalled from his assignment.

The Beavers also announced infielder Alex Pelaez has been placed on the temporary inactive list, infielder Khalil Greene has been transferred to Portland from Class AA Mobile, catcher Michael Rivera has been claimed off waivers by the Chicago White Sox and right-hander Johnny Hunter has been released.

Witasick, 30, went 0-0 with one save and a 4.22 ERA (5er, 10.2ip) in five relief appearances between Portland and Lake Elsinore during his rehab assignment. Witasick was originally placed on the 15-day DL with a strained flexor tendon in his right elbow on March 26 (retro to March 21).

Villafuerte, 27, made two relief appearances during his rehabilitation assignment at Lake Elsinore, picking up a pair of saves over 2.0 scoreless innings. The native of Hilo, Hawaii, went on the 15-day DL with a right-shoulder strain on May 16 (retro to May 15). Prior to his injury, he was 0-2 with two saves and a 4.60 ERA (15er, 29.1ip) in 22 games out of the bullpen with the Padres.

Walker, 26, split his rehab assignment between Portland and Lake Elsinore, going 0-0 with a 9.00 ERA (10er, 10.0ip) in nine games (one start). He is coming off a left-elbow strain that forced him onto the disabled list on March 26.

Pelaez, 27, who is batting .275 with three home runs and 38 RBIs in 57 games with the Beavers, is expected to rejoin the active roster later this week.

Greene, 23, the Padres' No. 2 prospect entering the season, batted .275 (63-for-229) with 17 doubles, three home runs and 20 RBIs in 59 games with Mobile to start the season. Greene was a first-round selection (13th overall) of San Diego in the 2002 draft.

Rivera, 26, appeared in 13 games with the Beavers, going 8-for-50 (.160) with one double and two RBIs. Recalled by the Padres on April 17, Rivera batted .170 (9-for-53) with a double, a homer and two RBI before being optioned back to Portland May 23.

Hunter, 27, was 2-2 with one save and a 6.29 ERA in 11 games with Portland.



Pacific Coast League Stories from June 9, 2003


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