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MWL1 Cedar Rapids Kernels

Casilla's season ends with fractured finger

August 21, 2005 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Cedar Rapids Kernels News Release


August 21, 2005 - The playoff hopes of the Cedar Rapids Kernels have taken an unexpected blow with the loss of infielder Alexi Casilla for the remainder of the season. Casilla, the team's leading hitter, heads to the disabled list while the Kernels receive infielder Jose Caldera from Double-A Arkansas of the Texas League.

Casilla, who had recently just qualified in the race for the league batting crown, suffered a fracture to his left (non-throwing) hand while sliding head-first into first base leading off the third inning in the Kernels' 7-6 victory over the Clinton LumberKings on Friday night. Further examination of the injury on Saturday proved the team's worst thoughts to be correct.

At the time of the injury Casilla was hitting .325, just four points shy of Peoria's Eric Patterson's league leading .329 average. With 14 games remaining in the regular season Casilla will not have enough plate appearances to qualify for the title should his average be the highest in the league when regular season play ends on Sept. 5.

The Midwest League Player of the Month in July, Casilla hit .325 in 78 games for the Kernels. Batting primarily in the leadoff spot, Casilla hit 3 home runs, drove in 17 RBI, and scored 62 runs. He had also stolen 47 bases which at the time of his injury was good enough for third in the league.

Caldera, who signed with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim as a free agent in 2003, comes to the Kernels after spending a brief stint with the Travelers. While in Little Rock the 5-10, 173-pound native of Guatire Miranda, Venezuela, Caldera collected a hit in his lone at bat. He made two appearances as a pinch runner as well.

After beginning the year with Rookie-level Orem in the Pioneer League, where he hit .231 in 21 at-bats, Caldera was sent to Triple-A Salt Lake on temporary assignment. While with the Stingers Caldera his .231 in 13 at-bats before receiving another temporary assignment to join the Travelers.

On the year the well-traveled Caldera is hitting .257 with no home runs, 4 RBI, 9 runs scored, and 1 stolen base.

Caldera, who arrived in Cedar Rapids Sunday morning, will be active and in uniform when the Kernels take on the LumberKings at Alliant Energy Field at 2 p.m.

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Midwest League Stories from August 21, 2005


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