Bears Sign Shortstop Donaldo Mendez
June 19, 2007 - Atlantic League (AtL)
Newark Bears News Release
NEWARK, NJ - June 19, 2007 - The Newark Bears Professional Baseball Club announced they have signed shortstop Donaldo Mendez to a contract for the 2007 season. Mendez, who played for the Bears last season before his contract was purchased by the Minnesota Twins, will be in the lineup this evening taking the place of injured infielder Ramon Castro who was placed on the disabled list following an injury he suffered Friday evening at York.
In 51 games with the Bears last season, Mendez batted .272 with 15 doubles, two triples, and five home runs. He drove in 23 runs, scored 32 runs, and stole 18 bases, which ranked fourth in the Atlantic League at the time he joined Rochester of the triple-A International League. With Rochester, the former San Diego Padre appeared in 19 games batting .276 with three home runs.
The Venezuelan native began the 2007 season with Kansas City of the Northern League. In 22 games played, Mendez drove in 12 runs while scoring 14, and had six multi-hit games.
"It is very difficult for us to lose one of the league's top hitters in Ramon Castro," said Bears Assistant General Manager of Baseball Operations Jim Cerny. "We are fortunate that a player like Donaldo Mendez with his former major league experience and familiarity of playing in Newark was available for us to sign."
Originally signed as non-drafted free agent by the Houston Astros in 1995, Mendez reached the major leagues in 2001 with the Padres. He had 18 hits that season, four of them for extra-bases, while driving in five runs. After playing in triple-A the following two seasons, he reached the major leagues again in 2003 with the Padres, batting .226 with 19 hits, six of them being doubles, and driving in nine runs.
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