The Washington Nationals announced over the weekend that RHP Jordan Zimmermann (Eau Claire, ’06) has earned the job as the 5th starter for the team. Because of a pair of off days in the first nine days of the season, Zimmermann is expected to begin the season in the minor leagues before being called up in time for his first start on April 19th.
Thigpen Traded
The Toronto Blue Jays traded minor league C Curtis Thigpen (Waterloo, ’02) to the Oakland Athletics on Friday. Thigpen accumulated about 120 at bats the past two seasons with the Jays. He was removed from Toronto’s 40-man roster prior to spring training but was still invited to big league camp. With the A’s he’s likely to start the season in Triple-A Fresno.
Frey Has Good Spring
Diamondbacks OF Evan Frey (Eau Claire, ’05) received a lot of opportunities this spring even though there was little chance of him making the team. Frey was reassigned to minor league camp yesterday and to date has the third most at bats for D-Backs players this spring. He hit .255 with 51 at bats in 23 spring games and is tied for the team high with six doubles this spring.
Frey hasn’t played above Class A since being drafted in the 10th round out of Missouri in 2007. He did hit .288 in the Arizona Fall League this past fall. He’ll likely begin the season with Double-A Mobile.
Worth Gets Look Late
Detroit Tigers minor league SS Danny Worth (Alexandria, ’06) has gotten an opportunity with the major league club late in spring training. The 2007 second round draft pick received an invitation to big league camp in 2008 for the Tigers but did not get the same invite in ’09. However, he’s still gotten some opportunities to play in the games including starting and playing the whole game Saturday against Toronto. In three games he’s 1-for-6 at the plate. He’ll begin the season in either Double-A or Triple-A for the Tigers.
Other Player Movement
White Sox RHP Lance Broadway (Wisconsin, ’04) will begin the season in Triple-A Charlotte. Mets RHP Carlos Muniz (Alexandria, ’02) has been optioned to Triple-A Buffalo. Yankees C P.J. Pilittere (Mankato, ’01) has been reassigned to minor league camp. Cardinals INF Allen Craig (Alexandria, ’03/’05) has also been reassigned to minor league camp.
