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Three More Former Wizards Released
By Chad Gramling | March 28, 2008
The San Diego Padres have released three more. All of them were Wizards. According to MadFriars.com, the club has released baseman Daryl Jones, catcher Justin Pickett and right-hander Andy Underwood. More cuts are expected by the end of the weekend.
I had really hoped that Daryl Jones would get through for another year. On opening day 2007, I mentioned to the Wizards GM Mike Nutter that I was surprised to see Jones back for a second season (meaning I expected him to move up). Mike said, “So was he!”
Jones was an all-star with the Wizards in 2006. He slugged 12 home runs with 58 runs batted in. The sad reality was that a logjam in the 1B/DH spot existed at the time and Jones was the odd man out and it wound him back in Fort Wayne. Jones did raise his average to .266 in 2007 (from .242 in 2006). But Jones hit just four last season before his year was cut short after just 69 games due to injury.
In 2007, Justin Pickett went 1-for-6 over two games with the Fort Wayne Wizards.
Right-hander Andy Underwood went 6-11 with a 4.92 for Fort Wayne in 2007 and was sent down to extended spring training to work on his mechanics.
Photos: Daryl Jones at First Base with the Wizards in 2007 by Chad Gramling.
Tags: Daryl Jones, Justin Pickett, Andy Underwood, San Diego Padres, Fort Wayne Wizards, Spring Training
