Matteo Pizziconi: After two professional seasons with the Gulf Coast League affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds 20-year-old Italian left-hander Matteo Pizziconi got released. The Anzio-native will join Danesi Nettuno in the Italian Baseball League and already will be available this weekend. In two seasons Rookie league he managed a respectable ERA of 1.12 in 25 games, but also walked 21 batters in 40 innings, while striking out 23.
Rick van den Hurk: It was no secret anymore that Rick van den Hurk had lost the race for a rotation spot with the Marlins this spring after Clay Hensley impressed last Saturday. Following a Grapefruit League game against the Nationals on Tuesday the Dutch hard-throwing right-hander got sent down to Triple-A New Orleans.
Alex Liddi/Alessandro Maestri: According to Baseball.it Italy’s Senior National Team head coach Marco Mazzieri traveled to the United States during spring training to talk to Alex Liddi and Alessandro Maestri. Liddi, who is expected to start in Double-A this year, would look like a complete player, which could make another big leap this year. Maestri faces a more difficult year since his minor league contract runs out at the end of the season and he needs to get on the 40-man roster to stay with the Chicago Cubs organization. Mazzieri seems skeptical that either one would be available during the European Championship. He also spoke to Francisco Cervelli, but even though he would be open to come to Europe he obviously will not as he is starting the 2010 season as the backup catcher of the New York Yankees.