After placing left-handed pitcher Eric Stults on the 15-day disabled list with a sprained left thumb early last week, the Los Angeles Dodgers recalled former T-Bones hurler Travis Schlichting from Double-A Chattanooga.

Schlichting, 24, played for the T-Bones in 2007 following his release from the Angels.  Originally drafted by Tampa Bay in the fourth round of the 2003 amateur draft, Schlichting spent his first stint in affiliated ball as a third baseman.  After hitting .250 with eight home runs in his first four professional seasons, Schlichting decided to work on his pitching, something he did sporadically in high school.

During the 2007 season, his first full season as a pitcher, Schlichting went 1-2 with a 5.29 ERA in 51 innings.  The right-hander struck out 47 batters in that span.  Following the campaign, Schlichting’s contract was purchased by the Dodgers, who sent him to Class AA Jacksonville where he went 6-4 with a 3.77 ERA over 59 and two-thirds innings.  He struck out 49 batters and walked just 18.

Prior to his promotion, Schlichting had appeared in 13 and two-thirds innings with Chattanooga, allowing just one earned run (0.66 ERA) in that span.  Batters were hitting just .146 off him with the Lookouts.

This marks the first time that a former T-Bones player has reached the major leagues.  Kansas City has had the contracts of 16 players purchased by major league organizations since their inaugural 2003 season.  This is the second time in as many seasons that a former pitcher for manager Andy McCauley has been promoted to the major leagues.  Brad Ziegler, who played for McCauley with the Schaumburg Flyers in 2004, made his major-league debut with the Athletics on May 31 last season.

UPDATE:

Schlichting made his ML debut on Sunday night, June 7.  The right-hander surrendered a home run to the first batter he faced, former NL MVP Ryan Howard.  That was the lone hit Schlichting allowed as he went one and two-thirds innings while striking out two.