06/27/2008 9:47 AM -
ST. PAUL, MN (June 27, 2008) – With the injuries mounting for the St. Paul Saints, a line up is getting increasingly more difficult to fill for manager George Tsamis. He went out and claimed outfielder Heath Keel off waivers while releasing injured outfielder Marcel Longmire. Also, the Saints lost pitcher Luis Villarreal who signed in Mexico.
The 24-year-old Keel was released by the Wichita Wingnuts (American Association) this season where he hit .254 with five homers and 22 RBI in 40 games. In 134 at bats he had six doubles, one triple and had a slugging percentage of .425 with a .285 on base percentage.
In his first game with the Saints on Thursday night he was 1-2 with a homer and two RBI and a run scored while drawing two walks.
The Saints released Longmire, who broke his hand on Wednesday afternoon after being hit by a pitch. Longmire was hitting .268 with six homers and 33 RBI in 40 games. In 153 at bats he scored 27 runs, had 11 doubles with a .458 slugging percentage and a .364 on base percentage.
Villarreal, a key component in the Saints starting rotation, signed with Saltillo of the Mexican League. He was 3-3 with a 3.03 ERA in 10 games (all starts). In 59.1 innings pitched he walked 25 and struck out 41 while the opposition hit .267 against him.
The Saints roster stands at 20 players, 10 pitchers and 10 position players. The Saints can carry a maximum of 22 players.
