A few NWL alumni re-joined active Major League rosters yesterday.

Former Austin Southern Minny Stars OF Josh Willingham was activated from the disabled list by the Florida Marlins. He’d been out of action for nearly two months with a lower back strain.

Former Alexandria Beetles RHP Carlos Muniz got another callup by the New York Mets. Claudio Vargas was designated for assignment after allowing four runs in the sixth inning of last night’s lopsided 11-0 defeat to the Seattle Mariners. That opens the door for Muniz who’s up for the third time this season.

Former Wisconsin Woodchucks SS Ben Zobrist has been recalled by the Tampa Bay Rays for what could turn out to be a short-term fix. Tampa Bay’s everyday shortstop Jason Bartlett is leaving the team for a couple days to be with his wife for the birth of their first child. Meanwhile, Tampa’s second baseman Akinori Iwamura is about to serve a three-game suspension. Zobrist is expected to see time at both shortstop and second base during the other players’ absence.

Former Kenosha Kroakers and Waterloo Bucks INF Clint Barmes was activated from the disabled list on Sunday by the Colorado Rockies. He’d done an admirable job for about a month filling in for injured Rockies SS Troy Tulowitzki before injuring himself near the end of May. Barmes missed one month with a sprained knee. Both players have returned to the lineup so Barmes will compete for time at second base with Jeff Baker. Barmes leads the Rockies in hitting with a .338 batting average.

Former La Crosse Loggers RHP Max Scherzer was demoted to Triple-A about ten days ago. Soon thereafter he was placed on the minor league disabled list with a sore right shoulder.

Former Waterloo Bucks C Curtis Thigpen was demoted to Triple-A about ten day ago when starting C Greg Zaun returned to health. In limited action, Thigpen went 1-for-6.