Manny Alexander and Buddy Bengel join Telemarket Rimini

Baseball.it reports two signings of Telemarket Rimini. Manuel De Jesus ALEXANDER and Buddy BENGEL will be added to the roster in 2008.

“Manny” ALEXANDER is 37 years old and is looking back at eleven seasons Major League Baseball. The utility man signed as an amateur free agent with the Baltimore Orioles organisation in 1988. He made his MLB debut in 1992. From then until 2006 he played for the O’s, Mets, Cubs, Red Sox, Rangers and Padres. He was primarily a backup infielder hitting .231 (OBP .282/SLG .324) in 594 games. In 2007 he was the shortstop for the Triple A team of the Washington Nationals in Columbus. He hit .231 (.281/.324) with 33 runs scored and 23 RBI. With his experience he will strengthen the Rimini squad.

At the beginning of the off-season there were some rumors that BENGEL would join Montepaschi Grosseto. They lost interest, but he is coming to Italy after all. The 27-year-old left-handed pitcher was born in New Bern, North Carolina. In addition he has an Italian passport. He went to the Quinnipiac University in 2003 and 2004. After his college career he signed with several independent league teams. In 2007 he started 19 games for Alexandria in the United League. He posted a 5-4 record with an ERA of 5.13. He struck out 96 (35 BB) in 107 innings pitched.

Rimini already had confirmed new additions pitcher Chris DI ROMA, infielder Mattia CAMPANINI and pitching coach Chris CATANOSO early this winter.