Due to lots of opening day action around European Baseball, we need to catch up a little on the European players in the United States, especially since the Minor League season opened its gates last week.
Jair Jurrjens: Right-hander Jair Jurrjens got his second start of the season on Monday, when the Atlanta Braves visited the San Diego Padres. It was an outing he needs to forget pretty fast. After allowing a second-inning run, he issued seven more in a ten-run fourth before being replaced with one out by Jo-Jo Reyes, who couldn’t stop the bleeding either and San Diego went on to score a Petco Park record 17 runs. Jurrjens allowed a total of eight hits, eight runs and two walks in 3 1/3 innings, while striking out one. His ERA rose to 8.64 for the season.
Roger Bernadina: Nationals outfielder Roger Bernadina got called up to the big leagues on Sunday morning after Mike Morse had to be send to the disabled list after straining his left calf. Bernadina went 6-for-15 for Triple-A Syracuse with a homerun, a triple and two stolen bases in three International League games.
Alex Liddi/Alessandro Maestri: As expected after his great year in the Californian League Italian third baseman Alex Liddi got promoted to the Double-A affiliate West Tenn Diamond Jaxx to start the season. After five games he is 5-for-20 with a homerun, a triple, a double and six RBI. He didn’t walk yet and struck out four times. Liddi could face fellow Italian Alessandro Maestri in the Southern League, as the reliever is again playing for the Tennessee Smokies. He has pitched three innings so far, allowing two hits, a run and a walk, while striking out four.
Gregory Halman: Haarlem-born outfielder Gregory Halman started the season with the Triple-A team of the Seattle Mariners in Tacoma. In five games he has collected a homerun and a triple in 17 at-bats, scoring four runs and driving in two. He has walked five times, but also struck out ten times.
Loek van Mil: The tall right-hander is still sidelined, but no longer with a shoulder injury. According to Baseball America Loek van Mil remains in extended Spring Training for now with shin splints, but is expected to open with the Double-A team of the Twins in New Britain.
Kai Gronauer: German national team catcher Kai Gronauer is back with the Savannah Sand Gnats in the South Atlantic League (Single-A), where he is 2-for-11 with a triple and a run in four games. He has walked twice and struck out just once in 13 plate appearances. He is splitting catching duties with Dock Doyle.
