Bullpen undergoes another makeover as \'Miggy' returns
July 21, 2005 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Cedar Rapids Kernels News Release
Two separate moves by the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim have given the Kernels bullpen its second major shakeup in the last week and a half.
On Tuesday the Angels announced that left-handed reliever Jamie Douglas had been given his unconditional release from the organization. The following day the team activated right-handed reliever T. J. Stanton from the disabled list and immediately assigned him to the Mesa Angels. Taking his place on the Kernels' roster will be a familiar face, right-handed hurler Miguel Gonzalez.
Just last week Kernels coaches gave the bullpen a major overhaul as they shifted relievers Ronnie Ray and Francisco Cordova to the starting lineup and added former starters Michel Simard and Jesse Smith to the relief corps.
Douglas, the lone lefty reliever in the Kernels pen, was taken in the 26th round of the June 2004 draft by the Angels. In 24 appearances this season the Southpoint, OH, product owned a 1-2 record with a 7.88 ERA. His inability to throw strikes proved to be his downfall as he walked 27 batters in 32 innings. When he did throw strikes he was hit hard. Opponents were hitting .289 against the southpaw and Douglas' seven home runs allowed were the most by a Cedar Rapids reliever this year.
Stanton had been placed on the disabled list in mid-June after straining his left oblique. The 6-4, 230-pound righty signed with the Angels as a free agent last November after pitching in the independent Northern League with the Winnipeg Goldeyes. With the Kernels in 2005 Stanton was 3-4 with a 4.76 ERA. The easy going Port St. Lucie, FL, native also had four saves, though he performed best in a middle relief role.
Gonzalez returns to the Kernels after being assigned to the Mesa Angels last week when closer Mitch Arnold was activated from the disabled list. After opening the year in extended spring training he was briefly assigned to Rancho Cucamonga of the California League, where he made his professional debut, before returning to Mesa and eventually joining up with the Kernels in mid-May. In 12 appearances out of the Kernel bullpen the former free agent from San Fernando, CA, is 1-2 with one save and a 7.58 ERA. At the time of his reassignment to the Mesa Angels Gonzales had not given up an earned run in his last three appearances. âMiggy' appeared in three games for Mesa and pitched a total of four innings during which he did not surrender a hit. Of the 12 batters he faced, seven were retired on stikes.
The roster moves put the Cedar Rapids roster at 25 active players, the most allowed under Midwest League rules. It also marks the first time a member of the Kernels has not been on the disabled list since the second week of the season, a span of 85 games.
Cedar Rapids opens a four-game home stand with the Beloit Snappers on Thursday night at Veterans Memorial Stadium. Game time is 7 p.m. with gates opening one hour prior to first pitch.
Midwest League Stories from July 21, 2005
- Lugnuts rally twice to overcome three homers, win 7-6 in 10 - Lansing Lugnuts
- Snappers slip past Kernels in opener - Cedar Rapids Kernels
- Bees KO Cougars With Homers, Win Seventh Straight - Burlington Bees
- Minutes before game, Harang activated, Berroa sent down - Lansing Lugnuts
- Wisconsin starts homestand with a win - Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
- Chiefs bullpen blows two leads, lose at Lansing - Peoria Chiefs
- Wizards walk to win - Quad Cities River Bandits
- Cougars drop first game of road trip - Kane County Cougars
- Dragons knock around South Bend workhorse for third straight win, Weber impressive in rehab - Dayton Dragons
- Caps rained out in Southwest Michigan - West Michigan Whitecaps
- Devil Rays-Whitecaps washed out - Southwest Michigan Devil Rays
- Staff shake-up to start homestand - Quad Cities River Bandits
- Ben Weber to Rehab With Dragons - Dayton Dragons
- Bullpen undergoes another makeover as âMiggy' returns - Cedar Rapids Kernels
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
