RiverHawks Make Roster Moves, Add Catcher
June 5, 2012 - Frontier League (FL)
Rockford RiverHawks News Release
LOVES PARK, Ill. - The Rockford RiverHawks have released catcher Elvin Millan, Jr, pitcher Kevin Patterson, moved pitcher Alex Szymanski from the seven-day disabled list to the 14-day disabled list, traded infielder Luis Parache to Evansville for a player to be named and signed catcher Michael Thomas.
Millan had caught nine games for the RiverHawks, including Sunday's game vs London. He was hitting .233.
For Patterson, his release comes a day after he failed to go two innings as the starter vs London. He had zero wins, two losses and a 10.12 ERA through three starts.
Szymanksi was placed on the seven-day disabled list May 25 after leaving the game early due to an arm injury the day before.
Parache started the season on the RiverHawks' suspended list after playing in 89 games with the team last year.
Michael Thomas was drafted out of high school by the Angels in the 22nd round of the 2006 MLB June Amateur Daft, but did not sign. He was then drafted in the 12th round of the 2009 MLB June Amateur Draft by the Red Sox after playing for Southern University and A&M College.
Thomas started 2009 with the Lowell Spinners of the short-season Class-A New York-Penn League. After two starts with the Spinners, Thomas went to the full-season Class-A Greenville Drive of the South Atlantic League, where he was teammates with current RiverHawks pitcher Mike Lee. He spent 2010 in Greenville and hit .156 with two home runs and six RBI, while playing in 31 games. Thomas threw out 30 percent of would-be base stealers.
A big target at 6-foot-3, 215 pounds, Thomas was sent to the Rangers organization in 2010 as the player to be named in the deadline deal that sent catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia to the Red Sox. Thomas did not play a game after the deal. The Rangers tried to convert Thomas into a pitcher in spring training last year.
The RiverHawks are members of the Frontier League, an independent professional baseball league in its 20th season. Games are broadcast on NTA-FM (100.5). Advertising and ticket information is available by calling (815) 885-2255. Fans can also visit www.rockfordriverhawks.com.
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