Jimenez, Nunez Move Up, Kings Receive Two

Lefty Jose Jimenez, infielder Luis Nunez get the call to high-A High Desert

By Dave Lezotte

August 30, 2010

Peoria, IL - The Clinton LumberKings, in conjunction with the Seattle Mariners have announced four transactions affecting the 25-man roster. Left-hander Jose Jimenez and infielder Luis Nunez have both been promoted to high-A High Desert. Right-hander Brandon Maurer and infielder Carlos Ramirez have both joined Clinton from Peoria, AZ.

Jimenez has been on Clinton's roster since Opening Day 2009 and was 3-4 with a 3.08 ERA and three saves in 42 appearances out of the bullpen. He walked 27 while striking out 51 and allowed Midwest League opponents to hit .257. The Bannas, Venezuela native leaves the LumberKings as the active leader in holds (4).

Nunez was also on Clinton's Opening Day roster in 2009 but was not with the club this year until mid June. In 42 games, the utility-man hit .289 (50-for-173) with two doubles, 18 runs scored 13 RBI and 12 steals in 18 attempts. The Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic native rejoins the Mavericks where he hit .182 (4-for-22) with four RBI in 10 games earlier this year.

Maurer, 20, joins the LumberKings from the AZL. Seattle's 23rd round pick in 2008 out of Orange Lutheran High School (CA), Maurer pitched in Peoria in 2008 (1-2, 3.09 ERA in eight games) and Pulaski in 2009 (3-4, 3.61 ERA in 13 games) as primarily a starter. This year in the AZL, he went 0-1 with a 1.64 ERA in four starts. The Costa Mesa, CA walked just two batters while striking out 14 over 11.0 innings, limiting AZL opponents to a .205 average.

Ramirez, 21, hit .234 with 10 doubles, a triple, 25 runs scored and 12 RBI in 40 games for Peoria this year. Last season, the San Cristobal, VZ native hit .333 (50-for-150) with 28 runs scored nine extra-base hits and 14 RBI in 53 games with Aguirre of the Venezuela Summer League, earning the Mariners' Most Valuable Player award for the club.

Maurer and Ramirez are both expected to join the club tonight as they take on Peoria at O'Brien Field at 6:30 PM. Neither has yet selected a uniform number. The Clinton roster stands at 25 active players with none on the disabled list.

For tickets, merchandise and more information on the Clinton LumberKings, call 563-242-0727 or visit www.lumberkings.com.