CAMPS OPEN AS ATLANTIC LEAGUE SEASON NEARS; TWO MORE INDY HURLERS IN MAJORS

This was somewhat of a milestone day in Independent circles with most Atlantic League teams, including two-time champion Long Island, NY, opening training camp in preparation for the start of the regular season on March 24. Other leagues will get busy when the calendar first turns to May.

At the same time, two more former Independent players have donned major league uniforms, increasing that total to 25 for the young season, counting Kansas City’s Luke Hochevar (Fort Worth, TX, American Association), who likely will spend the entire season on the disabled list because of injury.

The Los Angeles Angels called up right-hander Yoslan Herrera, who spent all of last season in the Lancaster (PA) Barnstormers bullpen, working a team-leading 59 games with a 2-1 record, 11 saves and a 3.74 ERA. The Cuban native, who turns 33 later this month, also was in the majors for five starts with Pittsburgh (1-1, 9.82) in 2008. Reliever Dane DeLaRosa, who has experience in the Atlantic League (Southern Maryland), American Association (El Paso, TX) and the former Golden League, was optioned to Triple-A by the Angels.

PHILS CALL GARCIA

Philadelphia has added righty Luis Garcia, who got into nine games with Newark, NJ (Can-Am League) in 2012, to its bullpen although indications are the stay may be brief as another player comes off the disabled list. Garcia went 1-1 with a 3.73 ERA in 24 games with the Phillies last season. That was the first time the 27-year-old had been in the majors.

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