Prairie Dogs Add Three

Published on July 4, 2012 under North American League (NAmL)
Abilene Prairie Dogs News Release


FORT WORTH - After three consecutive outings in which he did not get through the fifth inning, Brian Smith has been assigned to the PECOS League. Joining the lefty on the way out of Abilene are relievers Todd Weldon and David Slovak and outfielder/DH Case Rigby. To fill the vacant roster spots, the Dogs have removed Karson Robinson from the inactive list and signed both outfielder Geraldo Valentin and right-handed pitcher Matt Larkins.

After his first five starts, Smith found himself in the top five in the United League in ERA. However, in three starts since, the lefty failed to pitch deeper than 42/3 innings, all losses. On Tuesday in San Angelo, the young lefty allowed seven runs (six earned) in the fifth inning on the way to a 10-4 loss to the Colts. In total, Smith was 3-4 with a 5.86 ERA in 43 innings pitched.

Weldon lost his job as the closer in the middle of June when the Prairie Dogs signed Ray Silva. Since Abilene signed Silva on June 14, Weldon pitched 72/3 innings and allowed three runs (one earned) in six appearances. Weldon leaves Abilene after posting an 0-3 record with a 2.50 ERA over 15 appearances.

Slovak last appeared for Abilene in the first game of a four game series in Edinburg on June 27. The side-winding righty was the second man out of the bullpen and pitched the seventh inning, allowing three runs on five hits in a 12-6 loss. In 11 appearances with the Dogs, Slovak was 2-0 with 5.25 EAR in 12 innings pitched.

Rigby made his first appearance with Abilene on June 24 in a 2-1 loss in San Angelo. In seven games in a Dogs uniform, Rigby came to the plate 28 times with four hits and two R.B.I. Rigby played the outfield and appeared in the lineup as the designated hitter over the course of his time with the club.

Karson Robinson, a side-arming reliever was removed from the inactive list. Robinson is in his first year of professional baseball after playing last season at Lubbock Christian University. Robinson will be used out of the bullpen.

Valentin, a 29-year-old outfielder, spent time in the minors with the Royals, Mariners, and the Marlins. In 2,406 at-bats over his seven-year career, the Puerto Rico native is a .276 hitter with 22 home runs and 110 doubles.

Larkins completed his time at the University of California Riverside in 2011. In his final season at Riverside, the righty was 4-1 with a 2.48 ERA in five appearances (all starts).

This evening, the Dogs begin an 11-game series with the Fort Worth Cats. Hear tonight's game beginning with the First Financial Pregame report on 106.9 KLGD or by clicking the "Listen Live" link on abileneprairiedogs.com.

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North American League Stories from July 4, 2012


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