Danesi Nettuno
The Italian Baseball League club Danesi Nettuno is still adding players to its 2010 roster. Baseball.it reports on Wednesday that right-handed pitcher Mark Lamacchia joins the European Champions Cup Winner of the past two years. The 27-year-old was born in Dunedin, Florida and pitched for Italy in the 2006 World Baseball Classic. After attending Florida State University he was drafted by the Texas Rangers in 2003. A serious elbow injury, which required Tommy John surgery, delayed his professional debut until 2005. One year later Lamacchia moved on to the Florida Marlins organization. In 78 minor league games for teams of both clubs between 2005 and 2008 he had an ERA of 5.11, while striking out 134 batters in 156 2/3 innings (61 walks).
Godo Knights
19-year-old right-handed pitcher Francesco Cozzolino arrives in Godo on a loan contract. He comes to the Knights from last year’s Serie A2 club in Latina. He had a 2-4 record with an ERA of 4.80 in twelve games (nine starts) last year. He struck out 46 in 50 2/3 innings, walking 42. The product of the Italian baseball academy in Tirrenia also started one game for Italy during the European Championships Juniors in Bonn, Germany. His teammate there, MVP Federico Castagnini, is currently playing at a high school in Colorado, where he made his season debut last weekend. He is expected to return to Italy in May, either joining Godo in the IBL1 or Verona in the IBL2.