Ducks Make Major Moves
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by: Brian Bohl | Senior Writer - NY Sports Day | Thursday, May 22, 2008
CENTRAL ISLIP, NY — Mike Myers made a single mistake in his professional debut, surrendering one solo home run in three relief innings Monday night. After making the Ducks following a tryout last week, the Wantagh native struck out a batter and helped preserve the rest of the bullpen.
But Myers will not get a chance to make a second appearance for the Ducks in the near future. Manager Dave LaPoint signed former Yankee and Oriole right-hander Todd Williams before splitting last night’s doubleheader against the Riversharks.
Myers was released to open a roster spot and Rob Cafiero was taken off the active roster so the Ducks could add veteran major league outfielder Alex Sanchez. Cafiero will serve as a coach and is eligible to rejoin the 25-man roster at a later date.
“This league doesn’t lie. You need experience to last,” LaPoint said about Myers. “We released him because we had to make a roster spot but we told him, ‘stay close, we might need you again.’ He’s OK. He’s going to continue to work out with us and be around the ballpark. If we need him, we’ll get him.”
Williams adds depth to the bullpen. Tom Martin is still out because of a rib injury, though his return will give the Ducks four relievers with big league experience. Williams pitched 227 games for five MLB organizations from 1995-07, logging a 4.33 ERA and a 12-14 record.
A 6-3, 210-pound righty, Williams last pitched in the majors for Baltimore, registering 14 appearances. The 37-year-old joins Martin, an ex-Rockies’ hurler, to form a lefty-righty tandem in front of closer Joe Valentine. Set-up man Clint Nageotte is the other reliever with experience at the game’s highest level.
“We needed some new life and they are both really good ballplayers,” LaPoint said. “Right now, we feel like they can give us a better chance [to win].”
Sanchez will look to provide punch from the left side of the plate. The 31-year-old is a career .296 hitter in 427 games among four big league clubs. He last played in the show in 2005, splitting time with Tampa Bay and San Francisco. Sanchez, who played all of last season for Triple-A Charlotte, will try to provide a jolt to an inconsistent lineup. Dominick Ambrosini was placed on the inactive list last week after batting .191.
The moves were completed before Game 1. Hours later, Estee Harris continued his torrid hitting. The Central Islip product completed a come-from-behind victory by lifting a two-run home run in the bottom of the sixth. Closer Joe Valentine pitched the final inning to pick up the save in the seven-inning game as the Ducks took the opener, 3-2.
Harris said adding an experienced outfielder is something that can help him as one of the club’s youngest members.
“Just picking his brain and watching how he takes care of his business; I can learn a lot from all these guys,” Harris said about veterans like Sanchez, Jamal Strong and Carl Everett. “That’s what is so great about this clubhouse, the mix of guys and all the experience. I’m definitely glad to have him on the team. It makes us better.”
