Another player leaves York for Mexico
Revs' closer R.J. Rodriguez has signed with the Campeche Pirates. John A. Pavoncello file photo.
Just a few days removed from finding out slugger Chris Nowak signed a deal with Mexico City, the York Revolution learned Monday that closer R.J. Rodriguez is now heading south.
The right-hander has signed a deal with the Campeche Pirates. While the move doesn’t help the Revs one bit, Rodriguez’s departure at this time of year doesn’t come as much of a surprise. The last couple of years he has left York mid-season only to return later in the year after the Mexican League wraps up its season sometime in August. So, it’s likely we’ll be seeing Rodriguez again in the near future. Rodriguez will join quite a few former Atlantic League players in Campeche, including slugger Jason Botts (the two were teammates last year in York), Wes Bankston and Brian Barton.
Rodriguez leaves with an 0-2 record and 2.36 ERA with 11 saves in 27 appearances. He struck out 26 and walked 14 in 26.2 innings of work. He held opponents to no earned runs in 22 of his 27 appearances. But he only had 1-2-3 ninth innings (no walks or hits allowed) in just eight of his appearances.
RHP Adam Thomas
What it means for York: Luckily for the Revs, they have a more than adequate replacement for Rodriguez in Adam Thomas. The right-hander has served as team’s set-up man to this point in the season, so he should be able to transition into the closer role smoothly. Among York relievers with at least 10 appearances this season, Thomas is third on the team in ERA (3.45), earned runs allowed (11), innings pitched (28 2/3) and hits allowed (26). He’s second on the team in strikeouts (18) and fourth in walks (eight). He has also held opponents to no earned runs in 21 of 28 appearances.
With Nowak and Rodriguez leaving the club in recent days, York now has 23 players on the active roster, which is two below the league maximum. The front office is likely busy looking for some players to patch in the holes, so expect some moves to come sooner rather later.
All-Star nods: In case you haven’t checked it out yet, I disclosed my choices of York Revolution players who I believe should be given a roster spot in the 2012 Atlantic League All-Star game that is coming up on July 11 at Camden’s Campbell’s Field. To read more on that, click here.
LHP Justin Hampson
Getting the call: The Revs announced Monday that for the second time in franchise history, a former York player has reached the Major Leagues. Monday morning, left-handed reliever Justin Hampson was promoted from Class AAA Buffalo Bisons to the New York Mets, one of a few roster moves resulting from Mets closer Frank Francisco landing on the 15-day disabled list with an oblique strain. Hampson was a member of the 2010 Atlantic League champion Revs, appearing in 11 games out of the bullpen. The following season he joined the Mets organization, pitching all of 2011 in Buffalo, posting a 3.41 ERA in 52 games and 58 innings of relief. To read more on the historic achievement, click here.
