Jair JURRJENS and Rick VANDEN HURK open the season in the rotation for their respective Major League clubs. Wladimir BALENTIEN will not break camp with the big league club, as the Seattle Mariners optioned him to AAA.
JURRJENS, who was acquired by the Atlanta Braves from the Detroit Tigers this winter, goes into the new season as the third starter. Manager Bobby COX confirmed this week, that he is slated to pitch against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday April 2nd. He has a 2-2 record with an ERA of 4.86 in five spring training outings. He struck out eight (seven walks) in 16.2 innings pitched. He made his MLB debut last summer with Detroit.
VANDEN HURK got the nod for the second Florida Marlins game of the season. It is a night game against the New York Mets on April 1st. Manager Fredi GONZALEZ confirmed that he would start after Mark HENDRICKSON, who is going on opening day. He has a 4.50 ERA after five games this spring, while striking out six (six walks) in 16 innings. He surprisingly was called up from AA last season, making his big league debut against Milwaukee. He started 17 games with 82 strikeouts in 81.2 innings pitched.
Outfielder BALENTIEN started with three homeruns into the spring training but cooled off a little after a few matches. He still hit .319 (OBP .360/SLG .638) with nine RBI in 20 games. However they just want that he can play regularly to stay sharp, as the everyday outfield of the Mariners is set with Ichiro SUZUKI, Raul IBANEZ and Brad WILKERSON. He already played in Tacoma last season, batting .291 with 24 homeruns and 84 RBIs in 124 games. He made his Major League debut last September at Yankee Stadium as a pinch hitter in a 3-12 loss. It is expected that he will rejoin the Seattle sometime this year.
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Rick VANDEN HURK
Jair JURRJENS
Wladimir BALENTIEN