TL1 Northwest Arkansas Naturals

Kevin Kouzmanoff Joins Naturals

Published on July 16, 2012 under Texas League (TL1)
Northwest Arkansas Naturals News Release


SPRINGDALE, AR - The Naturals' parent club, the Kansas City Royals announced a pair of transactions on Sunday affecting the Northwest Arkansas Naturals' roster. Catcher Manny Pina has activated from his major-league rehab assignment and optioned to the Naturals. Right-hander Patrick Keating has been placed on the seven-day disabled list. The Royals announced two additional transactions on Monday. Kevin Kouzmanoff has been transferred to the Naturals from the Omaha Storm Chasers and Ryan Jenkins was placed on the seven-day disabled list.

Pina suffered a knee injury early this season, while catching a bullpen session during the first few weeks of spring training. The catcher made his major league debut last season and hit .214 in 14 at bats for the Royals. He also appeared in games with the Naturals (3) and the Omaha Storm Chasers (68) before making his major league debut at the end of the season.

Pina began his major league rehab assignment this season with the Arizona League Royals before joining the Naturals. He appeared in six games in Arizona hitting .462 (6-for-13) with five RBI and five walks. Pina was acquired by the Royals in a trade with the Texas Rangers in 2009.

Keating had gone 2-1 with a 3.89 ERA in 26 games for the Naturals. The franchise's all-time leader in saves had converted nine of his 11 chances this season, and fanned 33 hitters in 34.2 innings of work.

Kouzmanoff began the season with Omaha and hit .262 with no home runs and 31 RBI in 56 games. The third baseman was originally drafted by the Cleveland Indians in the sixth round of the 2003 draft. He made his major league debut with the Indians in 2006 hitting a grand slam in his first major league at bat. He has also played in the major leagues with the San Diego Padres, Oakland Athletics, and Colorado Rockies.

Jenkins has spent the entire season with the Naturals hitting .245 with no home runs and 12 RBI in 36 games behind the plate. The catcher was a 17th round pick in the 2010 draft out of Auburn.

Following the transactions, the Naturals' roster is now at the Texas League's limit of 25 players. Kouzmanoff will wear number 15 for the Naturals.

The Northwest Arkansas Naturals are the Double-A Texas League affiliate of the Kansas City Royals and play at state-of-the-art Arvest Ballpark, located in Springdale. Visit our website, nwanaturals.com, for information on season tickets and ticket plans.

Check out the Northwest Arkansas Naturals Statistics

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Texas League Stories from July 16, 2012


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