Five Pelicans promoted to Double A

The first half champion Myrtle Beach Pelicans, in conjunction with the Texas Rangers, have announced the promotion of five of its players to the Double-A Frisco RoughRiders. Right-handers Luke Jackson, Francisco Mendoza and Jon Edwards join the Rangers' Texas League affiliate along with all-star middle infielders Luis Sardinas and Rougned Odor.

In a series of corresponding moves, right-handers Nick McBride and Kevin Pucetas have been transferred from Frisco to Myrtle Beach. Right-handed pitcher Cody Kendall joins the pitching staff from Class-A Hickory. Infielders Odubel Herrera and Hanser Alberto return to Myrtle Beach where they played together for part of the 2012 season.

Jackson, 21, was an all-star and the league's leader in earned run average going 9-4 with a 2.41 earned run average. It is his first promotion to the Double-A level. Mendoza, 25, led the Pelicans with seven saves working exclusively out of the bullpen. Edwards, 25, appeared briefly in Frisco last season and returns after posting a 3.57 ERA in 26 relief appearances in Myrtle Beach.

Odor, 19, and Sardinas, 20, were both selected to the Carolina League midseason All-Star team. The double play duo combined for 227 hits, with each ranking among the league's Top 10 hitters. Odor ranked fourth with a .304 batting average while Sardinas was sixth at .297.

Herrera, 21, a Texas League all-star, was hitting .257 with 30 RBIs in 101 games for the RoughRiders. Last season with the Pelicans he hit .284 with five homers and 46 RBIs 126 games. Alberto, 20, was hitting .213 in 100 games for the RoughRiders after hitting .265 in 66 games for the Pelicans last season.

A Carolina League veteran, McBride, 22, started the season in Myrtle Beach before being transferred in May after turning in a 1.96 earned run average in 12 relief appearances. He worked out the starting rotation for the RoughRiders and posted a 6.19 ERA in 13 assignments.

Signed this past offseason, Pucetas, 28, has spent time with the Giants, Royals and Nationals organizations. This season in Frisco he went 10-8 with a 4.67 earned run average.

In 25 relief appearances with the Crawdads, Kendall, 23, was 2-2 with a 3.43 ERA.

The Pelicans active roster remains at 24 players.

The first half champion Pelicans return home Sunday to take on the Frederick Keys at TicketReturn .com Field. It will be a Family Sunday featuring postgame fireworks and pregame catch on the field. Game time is set for 6:05 p.m. EST. Tickets are available for purchase online at www.myrtlebeachpelicans.com or by phone at 918-6000.