Madison, WI – July 13, 2009. During the course of a typical baseball season, especially that in the Northwoods League, each team is forced to deal with injuries and other factors (i.e. summer school) to different degrees that reshape the roster in the quest for a championship in August. This year, the Madison Mallards have been hit harder than year’s past in the injury department, and have made some replacements in key areas, pitching especially. Below we’ve summarized the latest roster additions and subtractions.
Have been waived:
Nick Chmielewski, RHP, So., Illinois. Chmielewski only appeared in six games before he experienced discomfort in his right arm. Over that span he went 1-0 with a 2.08 ERA in 8.2 innings pitched.
David Coleman, OF, So., Virginia. Coleman never made it to Madison after deciding to rehab a sore throwing arm/shoulder back home. This past spring for the Cavaliers he hit .307 with 4 doubles and 10 RBI.
Joe De Pinto, IF, So., USC. De Pinto’s luck in Madison hasn’t been good to say the least. A year after the team was forced to waive the talented infielder because his two 10-day contracts ended and a roster spot wasn’t available, De Pinto tore his ACL in the first week of July and left to begin the rehabilitation process back home in California. His loss has been felt as the Manager CJ Thieleke continues to juggle his lineup to find a shortstop replacement. De Pinto was hitting .272 with 8 doubles and 15 RBI through 31 games.
Matt Morgan, RHP, So., Purdue. Morgan’s loss hurts as well, as the right-hander was a strong candidate to make the NWL Mid-Season All-Star Team. He left after experiencing tightness in his throwing arm and the Purdue coaching staff decided to shut him down for the summer. Over five starts Morgan posted a 2-1 record and 1.83 ERA over 34.1 innings. He also struck out 39 batters.
Joe Yermal, RHP, So., Charlotte. The 6’8″ workhorse also experienced discomfort in his throwing arm and decided to take the rest of the summer off to rest/rehab in order to be ready for Charlotte’s fall season. Through four starts Yermal, a two-year Mallard, was 3-2 with a 4.15 ERA in 21.2 innings.
Have been recently signed:
Cameron Amsrud, RHP, Fr., UW-Milwaukee. A native of Schofield, Wisc., Amsrud went 5-1 with a 4.94 ERA over 31 innings this past spring for the Panthers. The side-winder has already made four appearances for the Mallards and has yet to allow an earned run over 4.2 innings. Amsrud was a three-year letterwinner at D.C. Everest High School earning All-Wisconsin Valley Conference Honorable Mention honors as a senior despite being limited to just five games due to injury.
Garrett Granitz, RHP, Jr., Azusa Pacific. The former product of Sun Prairie High School went 2-1 with a 4.22 ERA over 32 innings for Azusa Pacific this past spring. Granitz was signed by the Mallards on July 7 and appeared in that night’s game, allowing 3 earned runs in 0.2 innings.
Brandon Johnson, RHP, Jr., Western Carolina. Johnson returns to the Mallards after going 4-4 with a 4.50 ERA over 44 innings last summer. Of his 16 appearances 5 of those were starts. This past spring for the Catamounts he went 3-0 with a 4.66 ERA over 16 relief appearances. After being signed by the Mallards last week, Johnson has appeared in three games, allowing two earned runs in two innings pitched.
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The Mallards hit the road Tuesday for a two-game trip to La Crosse after enjoying an off-day today. Tomorrow’s first pitch is scheduled to begin at 7:05 p.m. at Copeland Park.
Madison then returns home for a 4-game homestand beginning this Thursday. Please check the promotional schedule by clicking here to pick out your favorite game(s) to attend this weekend!
To purchase tickets please click here or call us at 608.246.4277 today!