SL1 Knoxville Smokies

Wada Joins Smokies on MLB Rehab Assignment, 2010 AL All-Star Soriano Transferred to Tennessee

Published on July 6, 2015 under Southern League (SL1)
Knoxville Smokies News Release


BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Chicago Cubs announced a series of transactions that impacts their Double-A affiliate Tennessee Smokies roster prior to this evening's contest against the Birmingham Barons at Regions Field in Birmingham, Alabama.

Cubs southpaw starter Tsuyoshi Wada has joined the Smokies to begin his Major League Rehab Assignment in recovery of a strained left deltoid and is scheduled to start tonight for Tennessee. The 34-year-old left-hander in seven starts with Chicago this year has tallied a 1-1 record and 3.73 ERA (13 ER in 31.1 IP), along with 31 strikeouts.

Signed by the Cubs prior to this season to a Major League contract, Wada made his Major League debut with Chicago last season on July 8 against the Cincinnati Reds after signing as a minor league free agent on December 14, 2013. The lefty was pitched for Team Japan during the 2004 and 2008 Summer Olympic Games, and also played his first nine prfessional seasons in Japan with the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks.

The Cubs have also announced right-handed reliever Rafael Soriano has been transferred to the Smokies from Extended Spring Training. The 35-year-old has not pitched professionally yet this season, and posted a 4-1 record and 3.19 ERA (22 ER in 62.0 IP) in 64 appearances with the Washington Nationals in 2014, adding 32 saves.

The Dominican Republic native was just recently signed by the Cubs as a minor league free agent, and over his 13-year Major League career has accumulated a 22-28 record and 2.85 ERA (200 ER in 630.2 IP) over 585 outings combing with the Seattle Mariners (2002-06), Atlanta Braves (2007-09), Tampa Bay Rays (2010), New York Yankees (2011-12) and Washington Nationals (2013-14). The right-hander was named an American League All-Star in 2010 while with the Rays, a season in which Soriano compiled a 3-2 record and 1.73 ERA (12 ER in 62.1 IP), adding 45 saves in 64 appearances.

Tennessee's roster now stands at 25 active players, along with two players on the Disabled List and three players on the Temporary Inactive List, and a revised roster is attached.

The Smokies are set to face off against the Birmingham Barons in the third game of a five-game set this evening, with first pitch scheduled for 8:00 p.m. ET at Regions Field in Birmingham, Alabama. Birmingham is slated to send RHP Mark Blackmar (2-4, 3.21) to the hill this evening.

Following their five-game set, Tennessee will return home to Smokies Stadium for a five-game series with the Biloxi Schuckers, the Double-A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers. The series opener is scheduled for Thursday, July 9, with an announced start time of 7:05 p.m.

Tickets for all remaining home contests at Smokies Stadium, are on sale and can be purchased online at smokiesbaseball.com, or by calling the Smokies Ticket Office at 865-286-2300.

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Southern League Stories from July 6, 2015


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