July 21, 2010
Minors notebook: Reyes shines in Fisher Cats debut
by Roger Brown/
Jo-Jo Reyes made his New Hampshire Fisher Cats debut a memorable one, giving up one hit in eight scoreless innings against Binghamton last week. Reyes joined the Fisher Cats after being traded from the Braves organization to the Blue Jays in the deal for Alex Gonzalez. (photo: Getty Images)
New Hampshire Fisher Cats starting pitcher Jo-Jo Reyes made a good first impression on his teammates last week.
Reyes, a 25-year old from West Covina, Calif., made his Fisher Cats debut on Friday night against the Binghamton Mets at Merchantsauto.com Stadium and held the Mets to one hit in eight scoreless innings. Reyes walked two and struck out six to help the Fisher Cats post a 6-2 victory.
Reyes, who throws left-handed, carried a no-hitter into the eighth inning, but surrendered a one-out double to Jonathan Malo.
On the strength of that effort Reyes (1-0, 0.00) was named the Eastern League Pitcher of the Week for the week that ended July 18.
The Toronto Blue Jays acquired Reyes earlier this month in the trade that sent shortstop Alex Gonzalez to the Atlanta Braves. Reyes made his Major League debut on July 7, 2007, and opened the 2010 season in Atlanta before being placed on the disabled list with a hyper-extended knee on April 15.
Reyes, the 43rd overall pick in the 2003 draft, has spent most of the 2010 season with Triple-A Gwinnett, where he posted a 1-5 record with 50 strikeouts and a 5.70 ERA in 47.1 innings. He appeared in 41 major league games from 2007-2010.
Reyes is scheduled to start Wednesday night’s game against the Portland Sea Dogs.
Forward progress
Right-handed pitcher Bobby Lanigan was promoted from Single-A Ft. Myers in the Florida State League to the New Britain Rock Cats on Monday.
Lanigan, 23, played college baseball at Adelphi. The Minnesota Twins selected him in the third round (92nd overall) of the 2008 draft. He made 11 appearances (10 starts) for Ft.Myers this season and was 3-1 with a 2.15 ERA at the time of his promotion. He has a 14-8 record during his minor league career.
A roster spot opened up for Lanigan when right-handed pitcher David Bromberg was sent from New Britainto Triple-A Rochester in the International League. Bromberg was 5-5 with a 3.62 ERA in 17 starts with New Britainthis season.
Bromberg, 22, was the Florida State League Pitcher of the Year in 2009, when he won 13 games and led the league in strikeouts (148).
Familiar face, new place
Third baseman Mike Lowell is expected to make a rehabilitation assignment with Pawtucket on Thursday night, when Pawtucket is scheduled to face Toledo at McCoy Stadium (7:05 p.m.).
Lowell has been on Boston’s disabled list since June 23 with a strained right hip. His last start with Boston came on June 13 against Philadelphia. He was used as a pinch-hitter June 22 against Colorado.
Lowell, the Most Valuable Player of the 2007 World Series, has a .213 average with two home runs and 12 RBIs in 31 games with Boston this season.
Smart move
Pawtucket’s Michael Bowden began this season as a right-handed starting pitcher and posted a 4-3 record and 3.77 ERA. He’s been even better since he moved to the bullpen July 7.
Bowden has held opposing hitters to one hit and has pitched six scoreless innings as a reliever. He’s collected two wins a save in four appearances in that role. Opponents are hitting .056 against him since his move to the bullpen.
