German outfielder/first baseman Donald Lutz is returning to the Australian Baseball League. The 26-year-old will join the Brisbane Bandits and is expected to make his debut this coming weekend in their series against the Sydney Blue Sox. He played for the Canberra Cavalry in the ABL in 2010.
Lutz suffered a season-ending elbow injury at the end of April, which required Tommy John surgery. He was with the Triple-A team of the Cincinnati Reds then. The Reds released him shortly after, when they needed room on the 40-man roster. He still was able to rehab with the club afterwards.
Lutz is no stranger to winter league ball. He played for Yaquis de Obregon in 2013 and 2014 in Mexico besides his stint in Australia. He also contemplated going to Mexico again, but eventually decided to return to the ABL. His brother Sascha Lutz has migrated this fall.
When he is making his debut next weekend there is going to be a good chance for an all-German duel in the ABL, as Jan-Niclas Stoeklin of the Mainz Athletics is a pitcher for the Blue Sox.