06/21/2004 2:53 PM - June 21, 2004

KANSAS CITY – The Kansas City T-Bones have released starting pitcher Caleb Balbuena, the front office announced Monday. The 6-foot-7, right hander was 1-1 with an ERA of 4.67 in 17.1 innings for the T-Bones in 2004.

Balbuena, who missed the 2003 season while recovering from Tommy John surgery, was pulled prematurely in his previous start against Winnipeg last Thursday. The native of Tuolomne, Calif., allowed four runs – three earned – in three innings before experiencing some discomfort in his throwing elbow. He recorded his only win with the T-Bones in his first start of the season, a 7-5 victory over Lincoln on May 22.

Balbuena pitched for Long Beach St. in the College World Series in 1998 before being selected by the Seattle Mariners in the 26th-round of the 1998 amateur draft. This is Balbuena’s seventh year in minor league baseball where he has recorded a career mark of 11-15 and an ERA of 5.05 in 294.1 innings.