7 Roster Moves on Saturday Headlined by Carlos Rodon Promotion
It was a busy day for the Charlotte Knights on Saturday before game two of their three-game series from Durham, NC. In all, the Knights announced seven roster moves, including the promotion of Carlos Rodon from High-A Winston-Salem. Here’s how Saturday shook out:
At 4:00 PM ET on Saturday, the team announced five roster moves, which put the roster at 22 active players:
RHP Erik Johnson placed on the DL
RHP Matt Zaleski activated off the DL
OF Avisail Garcia returned to Chicago, activated off DL
LHP Charlie Leesman designated for assignment
LHP Eric Surkamp recalled to Chicago
KNOTES: RHP Erik Johnson (5–7, 6.73) started 20 games for the Knights this season after the beginning the year in Chicago with the White Sox. He allowed seven runs on eight hits over 2.2 innings pitched in his last start back on August 12 at Syracuse. In three August starts, Johnson has a 0–1 record with an 8.53 ERA. RHP Matt Zaleski (2–0, 2.92) was activated off the DL today taking Johnson’s roster spot. In his last outing, Zaleski picked up his second win of the season and 21st of his Knights career, which moved him into a tie for fifth all-time in franchise history (tied with Felix Diaz, Ryan Hawblitzel, and Jon Rauch). Zaleski is tied for first in games started (73) with Charlie Haeger and second all-time in Charlotte Knights franchise history in innings pitched (425.2) and walks (150). He is fifth in strikeouts (278) and one away from tying Jon Rauch for fourth all-time. LHP Charlie Leesman went 2–6 with a 4.10 ERA in 14 games (12 starts) for the Knights this season. In parts of three seasons with the Knights, Leesman owns an 18–19 record with a 3.27 ERA in 56 games (54 starts). Surkamp went 3–5 with a 4.76 ERA (40 ER/75.2 IP) and 86 strikeouts in 16 games (11 starts) with the Knights this season.
GARCIA ACTIVATED: White Sox Avisail Garcia was returned from his MLB Rehab assignment with the Knights and was activated by the Chicago White Sox today. In 13 games for the Knights, the 23-year-old hit .340 (17-for-50) with nine runs scored, three doubles, a home run, and three RBIs. He hit safely in nine of 13 games as he rehabbed with Charlotte on his way back from April shoulder surgery. He’s was the team’s DH six times and played right field the other seven games.
At 7:00 PM ET, the Knights added two more roster moves, putting the roster at 24 active players:
North Carolina native Carlos Rodon — the number-three overall pick by the Chicago White Sox in this year’s Major League Baseball Draft — will take the next step in his progression and make his Triple-A debut with the Charlotte Knights on Tuesday, August 19 as the club continues a two-game series against the Gwinnett Braves from BB&T Ballpark. Rodon, a product of NC State, is expected to start the game for the Knights on Tuesday against Gwinnett RHP Kanekoa Texeira.
Rodon, 21, appeared in four games (two starts) for Winston-Salem (A+) and posted a 0–0 mark with a 1.86 ERA (9.2 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 5 BB, 15 SO). The Holly Springs, NC native made his professional debut on July 22 for the Arizona League White Sox. He appeared in two games for the team and allowed two runs on four hits over three innings.
Outfielder Josh Richmond has also been added to Charlotte’s active roster today, which is now at 24 active players. Richmond was promoted from Double-A Birmingham today, where he posted a .247 batting average with nine home runs and 51 RBIs in 100 games for the Barons.
Stay tuned for a busy and exciting final eight games at BB&T Ballpark, which get underway on Monday with a 7:05 p.m. game against the Gwinnett Braves.
