Charleston RiverDogs Add Pitchers Nick Asselin, Dan Kapala

MLN - THE RAW FEED - www.mlntherawfeed.com - CHARLESTON- The Charleston RiverDogs have added pitchers Nick Asselin and Dan Kapala from the Gulf Coast Yankees (GCL) roster, the New York Yankees announced Friday. To make room for them on the roster, the Yankees have temporarily sent relievers Craig Heyer and Ryan Zink to the Gulf Coast Yankees roster.

In addition, infielder Walter Ibarra has also been transferred to the short-season Class-A Staten Island Yankees roster.

This particular move has been made in order to create roster space for two extra arms on Charleston’s pitching staff, as the team has just completed a stretch of five games in a three-day period.

Asselin was signed by the Yankees as a non-drafted free agent two weeks ago on June 13, after completing a five-year collegiate career with Boston College. The former Eagle appeared in 24 games in college this past season, registering a 3-1 record with a 3.22 ERA, while fanning 47 batters in 44.2 innings pitched. Asselin appeared in one game with the GCL Yankees on June 23, tossing 1.2 scoreless innings.

ADVERTISEMENT Kapala, a 6’5” sidearm right-hander, was selected by the Yankees in the 46th round of the 2007 Draft out of the University of Notre Dame.  The Royal Oak, Mich. native spent last season with Staten Island in the New York-Penn League (NYP), sporting a 0-0 mark with a 3.94 ERA in 10 appearances. Kapala, who has been rehabbing an injury this season, also pitched in one game with the GCL Yankees and recorded a save on June 25 in 1.0 inning of work.

Heyer, the Yankees’ 22nd round selection in the 2007 Draft, has been a rock of consistency in the Charleston bullpen, posting a perfect 4-0 record with a staff-low 1.35 ERA.  In 22 appearances, the Scottsdale, Ariz. native has surrendered only seven earned runs and eight walks in 46.2 innings of work, and has a 20-inning scoreless streak to his credit from May 21 to June 23 (nine appearances).

Zink, who was added to RiverDogs roster from Staten Island on May 1, has pitched in nine games this season and actually notched his first South Atlantic League (SAL) victory on June 26 over Columbus in the completion of a suspended game from June 21 at Golden Park.  The former University of Illinois-Chicago standout is 1-1 with a 2.03 ERA.

Ibarra has been a versatile option off Torre Tyson’s bench this season having seen time at second base, shortstop, third base, left field and right field.  The Mocorito, Mex. native hit .198 in 27 games with one home run, 13 RBI and 13 runs scored. The 5’11” switch-hitter also drove in 10 runs during a six-game span from May 20 to May 26.

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