MWL1 Peoria Chiefs

Macias Returns to Chiefs, Shafer Activated for Saturday Start

Published on June 6, 2009 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Peoria Chiefs News Release


June 6, 2009

Macias Returns to Chiefs, Shafer Activated for Saturday Start

Guzman back to extended; Bristow placed on DL

PEORIA, IL- The Peoria Chiefs in conjunction with the Chicago Cubs have announced that utility man David Macias has returned to the Midwest League from Triple-A Iowa while pitcher Aaron Shafer has been activated from the disabled list to start Saturday night in Kane County. To make room on the roster, pitcher Justin Bristow has been placed on the disabled list with a right calf strain retroactive to Thursday and outfielder Francisco Guzman has returned to extended spring training in Mesa, AZ.

Macias, a 19th round pick in 2008, hit .291 with six RBIs in 20 games with the Chiefs before his second promotion to Iowa on May 18. The 23 year-old smacked two doubles and recorded back-to-back two-RBI games in an April 23 doubleheader at Wisconsin. In two separate stints with Iowa this season, Macias has appeared in 22 games batting .226 with a double, three RBI and seven runs scored. The Woodlands, Texas native played exclusively at second base for the I-Cubs after seeing time at four positions for the Chiefs earlier this season. Macias had a five-game hit streak from May 18-23 and went 9-for-4 in his final start at Nashville on Friday night. Macias spent all of 2008 with Boise where he hit .228 with nine doubles and 16 RBIs in 54 games. The 5'9, 175 pounder played his college at Vanderbilt with fellow Chiefs infielder Ryan Flaherty.

Shafer, the Chiefs opening day starter, went on the DL with forearm tightness after a May 17 start in Beloit. He is 4-2 on the season with a 5.60 ERA in seven starts. In 35 1/3 innings Shafer has struck out 20, walked 10 and allowed six home runs. He is expected to throw 30-40 pitches Saturday night at Kane County, a team he beat 4-1 on April 9 at O'Brien Field. A native of Moscow Mills, MO, Shafer was drafted in the second round out of Wichita State last June. He allowed one run on six hits over five innings against Kane County in the season opener and is tied for the team lead in wins. Shafer went at least five innings in each of his first six starts before allowing seven runs on seven hits in just 2 1/3 innings in a loss at Beloit on May 17.

Guzman joined the Chiefs on May 27 and batted just .095 in eight games. The centerfielder was 2-for-21 with three runs scored and three stolen bases while drawing three walks and striking out seven times. Signed as a non-drafted free agent on March 5, 2008, Guzman spent all of last season playing in the Dominican Summer League. In his first professional season, the 6'1, 160 pound outfielder hit a solid .299 with 16 RBIs. The Dominican Republic native also swiped 18 bags in 26 attempts. Earlier this season Guzman played in six games for Class A Advanced Daytona of the Florida State League when Tyler Colvin went on the disabled list. In those six games he hit .263 with one RBI, four runs scored and a stolen base.

Bristow beat Beloit on Thursday night allowing just one run over five innings to improve to 2-2 on the season. He lands on the DL with a right calf strain suffered late in that Thursday start. In eight starts since joining the Chiefs in late April, Bristow has struck out 21 and walked 10 in 31 1/3 innings while posting a 4.88 ERA. Both of Bristow's wins have come against Beloit and he tossed five innings in each of his last two starts. A fifth round draft selection by the Cubs in 2008 out of East Carolina, Bristow pitched in six games combined between Mesa and Boise last season before being shut down with an arm injury. In that brief stint, he was 2-1 with a 9.00 ERA in six appearances and four starts while striking out 15 over 13 innings.

The Chiefs begin an eight-game road trip Saturday at 6:00 p.m. against Kane County. After four games in Geneva, IL against the Cougars, the Chiefs will travel to Clinton, IA for a four-game set. After completing a four-game sweep of Beloit Friday night, the Chiefs begin the road trip three games behind Kane County and Cedar Rapids for the two first half playoff spots. The half will send with a nine-game, eight-day home stand against Quad Cities and Burlington from June 14-21.

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