Long Island Ducks baseball - Jose Espinal - Pete Rose Jr. - Dave LaPoint - Atlantic League - Brian Bohl

Off-Speed Addition Just the Ticket?

Ducks Add Jose Espinal to Rotation

by Brian Bohl

September 7, 2007

CENTRAL ISLIP, NY— Wandering through the airport terminal, Jose Espinal was set to board a Southwest Airlines en route to the next stop of his professional baseball career. The right-hander packed his clothes and his off-speed repertoire. He was set to join the Road Warriors, flying to meet the last-place club two weeks ago.

That was before a small problem arose. Espinal (at right) didn’t bring his reservation, causing him to miss his flight. That might have cost the former Minnesota Twins’ farmhand a few hours on his travel schedule, though it proved to be a fortuitous travel snag.

Instead of playing out the string on an out-of-contention club, Espinal’s agent worked out a deal with the Ducks, providing the team with a veteran starter and the pitcher with a chance to contribute to an Atlantic League championship contender.

It also marked a chance to suit up next to former major leaguers like Edgardo Alfonzo, Carl Everett, Reggie Taylor and Bryant Nelson, who Espinal said he played with while both were in the Cubs organization in 1998.

“I was supposed to report with the Road Warriors on the 23rd [of August],” Espinal said. “The next day, my agent contacted me and said I was going to be with the Ducks instead. I was happy about it, because I heard about the team and what kind of quality of players they have.”

Espinal last pitched professional last season in Mexico, where the quality of play is considered to be the equivalent of Triple-A. The recently-turned 31-year-old was playing in a men’s league before getting the call to revive his career.

“I was just home, pitching with a local team and friends once a week. That’s why I was kind of slow to get used to the mound and the hitters,” Espinal said after allowing one run in six innings to beat the Road Warriors on Wednesday night. “It’s a process. It’s about getting used to hitters and getting to know the league.”

Manager Dave LaPoint brought in the 6-1, 185-pound hurler to stabilize a banged-up rotation. Donovan Osborne continues to be out to rest his left (pitching) arm. Lance Davis suffered through a miserable August before getting a wisdom tooth removed and staff ace Randy Leek was signed by the Blue Jays’ origination.

Leek re-joined the team Thursday following the conclusion of his stint in Triple-A. Bill Pulsipher, Ed Yarnall and John Halama are all trying to string together a string of consistent quality starts. LaPoint said he could even employ a six-man rotation, a decision Espinal left open after he demonstrated his ability to throw his fastball, sinkerball, curveball, and changeup effectively.

“He’s gotten better each time out,” said LaPoint, (at left) who lifted Espinal from the game after 83 pitches as he tries to build up his pitcher’s arm strength. “He’ll be in the rotation. We might go with six starters down the stretch. Without the off days, it won’t hurt us to do that.”

Espinal recorded a 46-42 record while pitching six minor league seasons in the United States. His best season came in 2004 when he finished 8-2 with a 3.48 ERA as a reliever for the White Sox’s top Single-A affiliate. The Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic native said pitching in the independent Atlantic League is similar to the hitters he squared off against south of the border.

“There are a lot of big leaguers. You see the same in the Mexican League, too,” he said. “It’s pretty close.”

Pete Rose Jr. has seen the Ducks overhaul the roster since Opening Day. Ten roster moves were made in a seven-day span last week, and the team concludes the regular season by playing 34 games in a row without an off day.

A five-game lead over Newark entering Friday means the Ducks will likely clinch the division by sometime next week. That would mean the new acquisitions could help rest the veterans before the two-round playoff tournament starts.

“With our clubhouse, it really doesn’t matter,” Rose (at right) said regarding the comings and goings. “That’s a tribute to skip. He brings in quality guys that fit right in. That’s what makes this team so special, is that we all get along."

“Jose threw [well]. He’s been at home not throwing as much as he wanted to. It’s going to take him a couple of games to get in his rhythm. We need a team effort every night. Hopefully in the next week-to-two weeks, we can start clicking on all cylinders and get some momentum going into the postseason," Rose added.

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