Charleston RiverDogs Make a Flurry of Player Transactions Due to Injuries

MLN Newswire - www.mlntherawfeed.com – CHARLESTON- Former Charleston RiverDogs reliever Stephen Artz has been re-added to the roster from High Class-A Tampa, the New York Yankees announced Monday. Starting pitcher Adam Olbrychowski has been placed on the disabled list with an upper-body injury.

In a weekend that was indeed filled with transactions, the RiverDogs also added outfielder Matt Morris from short-season Class-A Staten Island, while relievers Craig Heyer and Ryan Zink were re-activated following a short stint on another roster. Relievers Dan Kapala and Nick Asselin were transferred back to Staten Island after appearing in one game for Charleston.

This will be Artz’s second go-round with the RiverDogs, after posting a 2-1 record with one save and a 2.97 ERA in 12 games with the team in 2007.  He fanned 27 batters in 21.2 innings of work with the club last season.

Artz, who was signed by the Yankees on July 28 of last season from the San Angelo Colts of the independent United Baseball League (UBL), served as an integral part of Charleston’s second-half playoff run in 2007. The former Samford University standout pitched in 13 games with Tampa this season and registered a 1-2 record with a 3.05 ERA.

ADVERTISEMENT

The Stone Mountain, Ga. native will join former San Angelo teammate Chace Vacek in the RiverDogs bullpen, as the two previously alternated as the Colts closer in 2007.

Olbrychowski, who missed 15 games earlier this season on the DL with an upper-body injury, is inactive once again, after taking a no-decision on Sunday in the RiverDogs’ 3-2 win at Savannah.  The Calabasas, Calif. native hurled 4.2 innings allowing two runs on eight hits with four walks and three strikeouts.

The former Pepperdine currently has a 5-3 record and a 3.45 ERA in 14 games (12 starts), having notched a 5-1 record over his last eight starts, while letting just 12 earned runs cross home plate in his last 35.1 innings of work.

Morris, the Yankees 23rd round selection in the 2007 Draft, had played in six games with Staten Island this season, seeing action at all three outfield positions and hitting .333 with a double and two RBI.  The UC Irvine product, who played collegiately with current RiverDogs outfielder Taylor Holiday, spent the 2007 season with Staten Island of the New York-Penn League (NYP), hitting .216 in 46 games with two home runs, 12 RBI and 13 runs scored.

Kapala and Asselin each pitched in one game for Charleston against the Columbus Catfish on June 27 at Riley Park. Kapala allowed two unearned runs on four hits in 1.2 innings of work, while Asselin tossed 2.1 innings giving up two runs on three hits with two strikeouts.

Subscribe TODAY and use the code BMR for 50% Holiday Savings off of the $11.99 annual subscription price!!!