KANSAS CITY, Kan. — The Kansas City T-Bones and manager Andy McCauley kicked off the T-Bones first stop of their 2009 Hot Stove Trophy Tour with the signing of pitcher Chris Rhoads.

Rhoads, 23, appeared with McCauley at Danny’s Bar & Grill last night and thrilled the crowd by signing his 2009 contract in person.  Rhoads enjoyed his second professional season in 2008, finishing the campaign 4-6 with a 5.01 ERA over 100 and two-thirds innings.  A University of Arkansas product, Rhoads spent the first two months of the season in the bullpen before making his first career start on July 3.  His best outing came on August 7 in Schaumburg, when he surrendered just two runs, one earned, on three hits in a complete game effort.  Rhoads lost two starts last season in which he allowed two or fewer runs.

“Chris really stepped up down the stretch and in the playoffs last season,” said McCauley during the tour stop.  “We’re glad to have him back and look for him to continue to contribute as a starter in 2009.”

Season tickets, group tickets, mini-plans and All-You-Can-Eat plans for the 2009 season are on sale now.  Individual tickets for regular season and exhibition games are scheduled for a late-March release.  For more information, call 913-328-5618 or visit www.tbonesbaseball.com

PRIME CUTS:  Former T-Bones pitcher Todd Moser accepted an invite to spring training from the Cleveland Indians earlier this week.  Moser joined Kansas City in July last season and finished the year 1-2 with a 3.86 ERA over 21 innings of work.  Primarily a reliever, Moser made three starts, going 0-1 with a 6.10 ERA in those appearances…The T-Bones have also signed University of Kansas hurler Hiarali Garcia to a contract.  Garcia, 24, went 2-0 with a 4.01 ERA over 41 games with the Jayhawks, four of which were starts.