Red Wings' staff thinning
BY KELSIE SMITH
Pioneer Press
The Rochester Red Wings' starting rotation took another blow last week when right-hander Jeremy Cummings was granted his release from the organization.
Cummings, 30, had an out in his contract that kicked in July 1, and after watching seven other Red Wings pitchers get called up to the big leagues this season, Cummings decided his chances at making the big leagues for the first time were better elsewhere, Twins director of minor leagues Jim Rantz said.
Cummings has since signed with the Toronto Blue Jays and moved over to the organization's Class AAA affiliate, the Syracuse Chiefs. Rantz doubted Cummings, who was the Cardinals' 21st-round pick in 1999 and signed with the Twins in November last year, would have trouble finding an interested club.
"That's the way this business is," Rantz said. "He's healthy. He's been around four or five organizations already. He's on the radar."
Cummings went 3-5 with a 3.93 earned-run average in 12 starts and 17 total appearances. Opponents batted .263 against him. His departure left the Red Wings' pitching staff with just eight arms (before Kevin Slowey returned to the club) to get to the Class AAA all-star break, which starts Monday.
Left-handed reliever Ricky Barrett made a spot start in Cummings' place but left the game after 3 2/3 innings with a strained left shoulder muscle that sent him to the disabled list, forcing Rantz to call up Brad Baker from Class AA New Britain.
The loss of Cummings means right-hander David Gassner is the only member of the Red Wings' original starting rotation who has stayed with the team all season. The number of starting pitcher call-ups, Rantz said, has been unusual.
"The main thing is that we've helped that major league club," Rantz said.
REMARKABLE ROOKIES
The Elizabethton Twins are on an early-season tear. The Twins' rookie club is 15-2 with a 6 1/2-game lead in the Appalachian League West. With such a good record, Rantz couldn't point to any particular player as one of the team's best.
"Everyone's impressive right now," he said. "Everyone's getting a couple hits, there are pitchers who are 2-0. I just think the guys that have joined the club since being drafted have fit in very well. A lot of these players are guys who were in extended (spring training), so they were good to go, really in shape."
CATCHER TO COACH
Class A Fort Myers catcher Javi Sanchez retired after being offered an assistant coaching position in Louisiana State University's baseball program. The 25-year-old was the Twins 14th-round pick in the 2004 draft. He was batting .191 in 31 games for the Miracle.
"He left in good graces, I might say. He just felt he had a better opportunity," Rantz said.
Briefly: Rochester pitcher Nick Blackburn ended his streak of innings without allowing an earned run at 44 on Tuesday when he allowed one run on five hits in seven innings. Blackburn is 6-1 with a 1.54 ERA.
Red Wings infielder Matt Tolbert will replace Matt Garza, now with the Twins, in the Major League Baseball Futures Game, held during all-star festivities in San Francisco.
New Britain Infielder Luke Hughes, and pitchers Tim Lahey and Jose Mijares were chosen to play in the Class AA All-Star Game on Wednesday.
Webposted July 7, 2007
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