Seattle, Washington--This time, there will be no unseen force toying with the hopes of the Larimer Knights and their fans. Only a couple of weeks after returning from a 19% injury that kept him sidelined for six weeks, Larimer catcher Chris Hoiles is being sent to the DL again, this time for 6-8 weeks while a strained back heals.
"The way I see it," said Larimer manager Don Baylor, "there are two positives to this. Steve North just came off the DL, so we don't have to worry about who we're going to have to send down to bring him back. Second, we already know we have a hell of a backup in [Curry] Powell. Oh, and of course, we know for sure how long we'll be without him this time."
Chris Hoiles issued this statement through the hospital he was taken to during the first game of the doubleheader: "I look forward to spending some more time with my family, and I will be happy to turn my job over to Curry Powell. I know he will come through as he did before."
Barney Robinson was called up from Fort Morgan to serve as Powell's primary backup, and should it be necessary, Paul Sorrento has worked a couple of innings calling the pitches this season as well.
To accomodate the return of North, team owner John Dybala sent pitcher Dave Burba to AAA. Burba, who has struggled on the mound for much of this season, was put in the bullpen some time ago but has not seen much action there, so he will be sent to Fort Morgan, where he will see some action and get a chance to come back to form while North gets an opportunity to pitch.
"I want to state, for the record, that unless the deal is very strong, this move does not place Burba on the trading block," was Dybala's comment when he announced these moves. "For the right deal, I would trade him -- that's true with any player -- but it is not open season on Burba simply because I demoted him. It is simply a move that will be good for both players. North gets to come back and pitch for the first time in two months, and Burba gets to work through his difficulties in a situation where there's nothing on the line."
