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June 30, 2008
Connolly Signed
The wait is over for general manager Todd Marlin. He has finally landed left-hander Mike Connolly.
After leaving the Bluefish during spring training to join the Sinon Bulls of the Chinese Professional Baseball League in Taiwan, Connolly has re-signed with the Bluefish and will rejoin the team Tuesday.
There had been some concern on behalf of Marlin that Connolly, 26, would instead sign with the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks in the independent Northern League.
``We had heard a month ago that he was potentially going to come back,’’ Marlin said. ``And about two weeks ago now I guess the agent called and said, `Hey, Mike’s coming back.’ And we just started talking to him. There was the whole maybe Fargo (situation). But eventually I think there was probably a little bit of loyalty there to some extent. We’re excited to have him. He’s got a good left arm.’’
Connolly, whose 24-year-old brother, Jon, joined the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs June 11, was 4-7 with a 5.22 ERA and one save in 28 appearances (14 starts) for Wichita in the Class AA Texas League last season. He decided to leave Taiwan because the Bulls were no longer using him solely as a starter.
Connolly will start for the Bluefish. Although a definitive decision has yet to be made by manager Tommy John, it is likely that right-hander Matt Pike will return to the bullpen.
Entering his start against the Blue Crabs tonight at Harbor Yard, Pike was 3-1 with a 6.65 ERA in eight previous starts since joining the rotation in early May. He is 2-1 with a 2.70 ERA in five relief appearances.
Pike, who had not made a start since 2002, is next scheduled to start Saturday at Long Island.
``If that is the case then what Matt did for us to help us get through the last month, month and a half is great,’’ Marlin said. ``He exceeded all of our expectations I think. He fought hard every time he went out.’’
Rich
Posted by Elliott on June 30, 2008 8:49 PM
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