Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Jason Jaramillo (HAHR-uh-mee-oh) made his Major League debut Thursday afternoon in a 6-3 loss to the Houston Astros at PNC Park. The former St. Cloud River Bat started at catcher and went 1-for-3 after not seeing any game action in Pittsburgh’s first eight contests of the season. Jaramillo made the team out of spring training as the backup to regular catcher Ryan Doumit. Jaramillo, a switch-hitter, pulled a fourth-inning single to right field in his second at-bat against Houston starter Russ Ortiz to pick up his first Major League hit.

The Mankato MoonDogs Baseball Club announced the signing of three assistant coaches for the 2009 season. Kurt Elbin of Thiel College (Greenville, PA), Jason Belk of St. Ambrose University (Davenport, IA), and Ryan Ruiz of Central Arizona College (Coolidge, AZ) will be joining new field manager Mike Orchard on the MoonDogs bench.

The Thunder Bay Border Cats of the Northwoods League announced today the signing of four pitchers for the 2009 season. Joining the pitching staff will be lefthander Tyler Powell and righthanders Christian Dekker, Matthew Singer, and Drew Erwin.

With the signing of Texas A&M freshman pitcher Denny Clement, the Madison Mallards roster now boasts a pair of Aggies for the first time in the franchise’s nine-year history. A four-year letterwinner at Cascia Hall Prep. School (Tulsa, Okla.), Clement compiled a 39-8 career record on the mound with 457 strikeouts in 298 innings of work. As a senior he earned All-America honors from Louisville Slugger and MaxPreps after going 9-1 with a 0.42 ERA. He also led the area with 142 strikeouts, earning Tulsa Metro Pitcher of the Year and conference MVP. A standout three-sport athlete, Clement was an Oklahoma All-State selection at running back in leading the Commandos to the 2007 OSSAA Class 2A State Championship that same year. On the wrestling mat he was a three-time individual state champion, claiming titles in 2006, ’07, and ’08. Clement was selected in the 39th round of the 2008 MLB Draft by the Oakland Athletics.

The Rochester Honkers Baseball Club announced the signing of Mitch Karraker, a 6’1” 175-pound sophomore catcher from the University of Oregon. Currently Karraker is hitting .245 with 7 doubles and 13 RBI.

The Waterloo Bucks announced the signing of Creighton freshman C.J. Rose. The 6'2", 185-pound pitcher/outfielder joins fellow Creighton pitcher Bob Lackovic for the Bucks 15th season of play.

Green Bay Bullfrogs’ Owner Jeff Royle announced the signings of Alex Schmarzo, Daniel Torrente and Sam VandenHeuvel to the 2009 squad today.

The Madison Mallards have signed last year’s National Junior College Player of the Year, Texas A&M junior catcher Joe Patterson, for the 2009 season. Patterson won the award after leading Seminole State College (OK) to the Region II semifinals and hitting .428 with 28 home runs and 95 RBIs. He was also named a First-Team All-American and received the Rawlings Big Stick Award for his efforts. The Mallards are excited to announce pitching coach Jason Immekus and hitting coach Jason Smith have agreed to return to Madison in the same roles for the 2009 season.

Eau Claire Express field manager Dale Varsho announced the addition of freshman pitchers Rudy Jaramillo and Louis Head to his 2009 roster. The two most recent commitments bring the Express roster to 16.

The Wisconsin Woodchucks have announced the signing of Cullen Sexton, a 2007 graduate of Stevens Point Area Senior High. Sexton is currently a relief pitcher for the 25th ranked University of Minnesota Golden Gophers (21-10).