SL1 Birmingham Barons

Loaiza Expected to Rehab With Barons

Published on July 17, 2008 under Southern League (SL1)
Birmingham Barons News Release


BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- The Birmingham Barons have learned that veteran pitcher Esteban Loaiza is expected to join the team on a rehab assignment and will likely start Thursday's contest at Montgomery. It is unclear how many innings he would throw, and it is undetermined how long his tenure with Birmingham would last.

The 14-year Major League veteran was signed by the White Sox in early June after he was released by the Los Angeles Dodgers. He began the season in L.A., amassing a 1-2 record and a 5.63 ERA in 10 games (three starts), and was placed on the Disabled List in early May with right shoulder tightness. After a three-inning rehab appearance for A-Advanced Inland Empire, he was activated on May 24 and then designated for assignment.

A 6'3", 210-lb. right-hander, Loaiza was signed by the White Sox on June 4, a move that led to former Baron Ehren Wassermann's demotion from the parent club to AAA Charlotte. Loaiza made three brief appearances, allowing two runs (one earned) in three total innings before developing further discomfort in his right shoulder He was disabled on June 13 with right shoulder inflammation and reported to AAA Charlotte for his rehab work.

Loaiza made five appearances for the Knights, going 0-2 with a 6.55 ERA in five starts. He fanned just five batters in 11 innings while issuing 18 hits, but did not surrender a walk.

This is Loaiza's second tour of duty with the White Sox organization. He went 21-9 with a 2.90 ERA in 2003 en route to earning start in that year's All-Star game and becoming only the White Sox' seventh player to record a 20-win season. He would finish second to Roy Halladay in the AL Cy Young Award voting. A two-time All-Star, he started the 2004 season with a 9-5 mark and a 4.86 ERA and was then traded to the New York Yankees for fellow starter Jose Contreras.

A 36-year-old native of Tijuana, Mexico, Loaiza competed for his home country in the 2006 World Baseball Classic. He originally began his pro career when he signed with Pittsburgh in 1991. He made his big-league debut with the Pirates in 1995, but has now pitched for eight different organizations over his pro career

RHP Dewon Day (0-2) was Birmingham's originally scheduled starter for Thursday and is still expected to work in the game. Montgomery southpaw David Price (4-0), the first overall pick by Tampa Bay in the 2007 draft, is slated to start for the Biscuits.

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