Four Australian born baseballers were named in Major League Baseball rosters for opening day over the weekend. There is one Australia position player, and three Australian pitchers down to commence the season in the bigs. Around eight or nine Aussies had been vying for positions in MLB squads over the US spring, and while four have made it at this point, there are a few who will be hoping to earn a slot later in the season.
Justin Huber is the only Aussie position player to commence the season on the 25-man roster. Huber was acquired by the San Diego Padres last week, after posting some impressive numbers over spring training. The Padres have him showing as a first baseman on their roster, and he is likely to start the season as a bench player. He could see some time in left field, as the Padres manage with their centrefielder Jim Edmonds on the DL. Huber celebrated his spring training success and position on the opening day roster by smacking a 2-run homer in the 8th inning of the Padres' loss to the Angels on Saturday.
Playing against Huber in California on Saturday was 23-year old pitcher Rich Thompson. He too has secured a place in MLB for the start of the season. Thompson will pitch in relief for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Through spring, Thompson posted an ERA of 3.38, and struck out 10 batters over 13.1 innings, while walking only 2. He played in 7 games for the Angels in late 2007, and will be hoping to see a lot more time in 2008. On Saturday, Thompson pitched 1 inning, and gave up a one-run homerun.
In Seattle, Ryan Rowland-Smith has made it to the Mariners' opening day roster. He too will pitch in relief, although there is a possibility he could see some time as the M's fifth starter. The 25-year old has had some major league experience, pitching in 26 games in 2007.
And one of the more experienced Australian MLB players, 29-year old sidearmer Peter Moylan, has confirmed his place in the Atlanta Braves' bullpen. Moylan has appeared in 95 major league games since 2006, and will operate as a setup for Braves' closer Rafael Soriano. In 8.1 innings of work over spring, Moylan struck out 6, and gave up 4 earned runs.
Of the other Australians participating in spring training, Chris Snelling and Travis Blackley have been sent to Philadelphia's AAA affiliate Lehigh Valley, where they will start the season. Tampa Bay's Grant Balfour has been designated for assignment, so we should know in a few days what the future holds in store for him. Damian Moss pitched another 2 innings for Atlanta on Saturday, but he will begin the season in the minors as well. Trent Oeltjen has continued to feature in the Arizona Diamondbacks spring, hitting in an exhibition game on Saturday. Oeltjen has had plenty of chances to impress this spring, and seems to have performed quite well. While there are some reports that he had been reassigned to the D-Back's minor league camp, this has not yet been verified on MLB.com. Again, over the next few days we should know more about where Oeltjen will begin the year. Stay tuned to Oz MLB Players for all the latest news!
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