TWINS' MOVES AFFECT EX-ROCK CATS

News that is generally not available locally (anymore), courtesy of Twins publicist Mike Herman and Rochester Red Wings publicist Chuck Hinkle ...

Ft. Myers, FL - The Minnesota Twins announced today that they have optioned right-handed pitchers Jim Hoey and Anthony Slama, and infielder Luke Hughes to Triple-A Rochester.

The Twins have 34 players remaining in camp. Left-handed pitcher Phil Dumatrait and catcher Danny Lehmann will be reassigned to Minor League camp following tomorrow's game, while right-handed pitchers Carlos Gutierrez and Kyle Waldrop, left-handed pitcher Chuck James, catcher Rene Rivera, infielder Chase Lambin and outfielder Brian Dinkelman will be reassigned to Minor League camp following Wednesday's exhibition game in Atlanta.

Slama, Hughes, Lehmann, Gutierrez, Waldrop and Dinkelman have all played for New Britain.

Slama, the Rock Cats closer in 2009, was 4-2 with a 2.48 and 25 saves in the Eastern League before moving to Triple-A Rochester August 12.

Hughes, who gained considerable popularity with the Rock Cats in 2007 and parts of 2008 and 2009, vaulted from utility player to major leaguer during his EL tenure.

He hit .283 with ine homers and 43 RBI in 92 games in 2007. In 2008, he batted .319 with 15 homers and 40 RBI in 70 games before his July 31 promotion to Rochester. After playing in the World Baseball Classic for his native Australia in 2009, he injured his oblique and played 56 games in New Britain (.250-6-36).

The versatile Dinkelman advanced after hitting .296 with eight homers and 65 RBI for New Britain in 2009. He was second in the EL in doubles with 38 and made the league's postseason all-star team.

Gutierrez, a first-round pick out of the University of Miami in 2008, moved between starting rotation and bullpen in 2009, compiling a 5-8 record and 4.57 ERA in 32 games. Lehmann played 34 games in New Britain and batted .236 with a homer and eight RBI.

Waldrop, a first-round pick for the Twins in 2004, had two stints with the Rock Cats, going 3-6 with a 5.34 in 11 starts in 2007, and 2-3 with a 1.46 in 31 relief appearances in 2009.