The former Major League infielder Frank Menechino leaves Italy due to physical reasons after just 18 games in the Italian Baseball League. He is going to be replaced at NETTUNO by Luis Ugueto, who is scheduled to arrive next week.
Menechino, who appeared in 449 games in the MLB for OAKLAND and TORONTO, batted .274 (OBP .372/SLG .411) with one homerun, ten runs scored and 13 RBI for DANESI this season. He started all 18 games so far, but was hindered by hernia disc problems.
Ugueto was born on February 15, 1979 in Caracas, Venezuela. The infielder signed with the FLORIDA MARLINS organization and stayed in the organization until 2001, reaching the single A level. He went on to the SEATTLE MARINERS in 2002, was inserted in the AAA league and made his major league debut for the American League club. Ugueto played a total of 74 games in 2002 and 2003 for the big league team, batting .214 (.290/.321) with one homerun and two RBI. He usually was used as a defensive replacement. He left the club after the 2004 season and played for the KANSAS CITY ROYALS and MINNESOTA TWINS in the minor league until last year.
DANESI NETTUNO has a 12-6 record after six weeks in the Italian Baseball League. They are currently sitting in third place of the standings, four games behind FORTITUDO BOLOGNA. They are facing SAN MARINO this weekend.