Cody Strait traded to Rays' organization
Strait, a 26-year old resident of Marble Falls, TX, was in his first season with the Naturals and first full season in the Royals' organization. He was acquired by Kansas City in a trade with the Cincinnati Reds on June 30th, 2008. He departs the Naturals with a .278 batting average, four homers, and 38 runs driven in. Originally a 12th round pick by the Reds in 2001, was amongst Naturals' team leaders in games played and had started games at all three outfield positions plus designated hitter. Strait was also leading the team in doubles (22) and runs scored (59), and was tied for the team lead with 14 stolen bases.
Strait will report to Tampa Bay's Double-A affiliate in the Southern League, the Montgomery Biscuits. Strait spent a portion of the 2007 and 2008 seasons in the same league while playing with the Chattanooga Lookouts.
To fill his roster spot with Northwest Arkansas, Catcher Jeff Howell (thumb fracture) has been activated from his rehab assignment with the Rookie-level Surprise Royals of the Arizona League. In four games with Surprise, Howell was 5-for-18 and drove in three runs. In 38 games with the Naturals this season, Howell has posted a .303 average with four homers and 18 runs driven in. The backstop was the Royals' tenth-round selection in the 2005 draft.
The Naturals' roster remains at the Texas League limit of 24 active players.
The Northwest Arkansas Naturals are the Double-A Texas League affiliate of the Kansas City Royals and play at state-of-the-art Arvest Ballpark, located in Springdale. The Naturals have a toll-free ticket hotline (1-877-444-2637) for fans to purchase Naturals tickets. Our website, nwanaturals.com offers fans the opportunity to purchase tickets online and avoid lines at the ticket windows by printing their tickets at home or at the office.