LINCOLN – The Saltdogs signed RHP Kaohi Downing and RHP Bryan Duncan, and acquired RHP Luis Chirinos from Joplin, increasing their roster to 25 players heading into the start of spring training Saturday.
Chirinos was originally acquired by the Saltdogs in a trade with El Paso in 2013, where he went 0-1 with a 4.58 ERA in six starts before being purchased by the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Last year, Chirinos compiled a 5-6 record with a 4.97 ERA in 28 games for the L.A. organization.
The 25-year old from Maracay, Venezuela is 38-30 with a 3.52 ERA in 566 2/3 career innings, spanning eight seasons. Chirinos spent his first four seasons in the Marlins system.
Lincoln acquired Chirinos on Tuesday from the Joplin Blasters for cash considerations.
Downing is 11-10 with a 3.54 ERA in 155 career games over five seasons. The 28-year old from Honolulu went 4-2 in 37 games out of the bullpen in 2012 to help lead the Winnipeg Goldeyes to the American Association championship.
Originally a draft pick of the San Francisco Giants, Downing went 1-2 with a 5.08 ERA in 38 games for Sioux Falls and Winnipeg in 2014. He struck out hitters at a career-high rate, fanning 8.4 per nine innings while with Winnipeg for 34 games.
Duncan, a Seattle native, will make his professional debut with the Saltdogs in 2015. The 6-foot-4 hurler finished his collegiate career at NAIA’s Peru State College (Peru, Neb.).
The Saltdogs’ roster now consists of 13 pitchers, three catchers, six infielders and three outfielders. The active roster will be trimmed to 23 by Opening Day on May 22.
Lincoln, the reigning Central Division champ, begins its home slate May 25 against Gary SouthShore. Single-game tickets are now available at the Haymarket Park box office, by calling 402-474-2255 or by visiting www.saltdogs.com.