The news got through the ropes a little bit due to the 2013 World Baseball Classic, but the Mainz Athletics have finished their roster planning for the upcoming season in the German Baseball-Bundesliga.
There are two surprising news coming from the A’s. Pat Haugen, who already was announced to leave due to an injury, will be back for a fourth season in Mainz after all. The American starting pitcher underwent a physical in the US and what seemed to be a career-ending injury turned out to be muscle spasm. He is back in shape and got convinced to return.
On the minus side the A’s will lose longtime outfielder Mike Larson. The veteran made his debut for the German national team at the 2013 World Baseball Classic Qualifier in Regensburg last September, decided to call his career for personal reasons. His experience and especially his bat will be missed. He batted .404/.530/.820 with nine home runs, one triple, eight doubles, 27 runs and 32 RBI in 24 games last season.
Mainz also officially confirmed the already known transfer of Lars Szameitpreuss from the Solingen Alligators. The 20-year-old is supposed to take over at short for the departed Dennis Kelly. Brothers Pascal and Marcel Raab are coming from the Cologne Cardinals. Patrick Runkel, Timothy Kotowski and Tobias Kuczulaba will be promoted to the Bundesliga roster.
Roster Mainz Athletics for 2013 Season:
Max Boldt (Pitcher, Infield), Nick Böttger (Pitcher, Outfield), Christian Decher (Pitcher), Pat Haugen (Pitcher), Kevin Kotowski (Catcher, Outfield), Timothy Kotowski (Catcher, Pitcher), Tobias Kuczulaba (Infield), Andreas Lastinger (Catcher, Outfield), Martin Matlacki (Outfield), Manuel Möller (Pitcher), Marcel Raab (Infield, Outfield), Pascal Raab (Pitcher), Patrick Runkel (Outfield), Julius Spann (Infield, Outfield), Tim Stahlmann (Pitcher, First Base), Lennard Stöcklin (Infield), Lars Szameitpreuss (Infield), Niki Weichert (Infield).