GLENDALE — The following are updates on area athletes in minor league baseball.
Jason Botts (Glendale Community College, 2000) outfielder, Oklahoma Red Hawks: For the former Vaqueros slugger, the objective for 2007 is clear, and familiar.
In each of the last two seasons, Botts has been called up to the major leagues for brief stints with the Texas Rangers — joining the club for 10 games in 2005, and for 20 a year ago.
Botts finished out the season with the Rangers in 2005, but was back with the triple-A Oklahoma Red Hawks to begin 2006. Following an early-summer callup in 2006, Botts again returned to the Red Hawks midseason where his year was ended prematurely by an injury.
He began his third season with the Red Hawks in April, hoping to earn that call again.
The 6 foot 5 switch hitter's most recent week at the plate is a step in the right direction.
Still batting only .219 on the season following Sunday's 9-1 victory against the Omaha Royals, Botts has raised his average 38 points by going 10 for 31 over his last eight games.
Botts, who has been used primarily as a designated hitter this season, connected for his second home run of the campaign May 5 against Omaha, an indication he may be rediscovering his power stroke after a slow start.
Botts' 110 at bats lead the team, while he is second in RBIs (15) and doubles (seven).
Trevor Bell (Crescenta Valley, 2005) Cedar Rapids Kernels starting pitcher: For the first time in 15 years of baseball, Bell finds himself not playing due to injury.
"My first baseball injury," said the 20-year-old Bell in reference to a groin injury he incurred just over two weeks ago.
Warming up in the bullpen before his scheduled start, Bell had just a couple more pitches before he made his way to the mound in Great Lakes, Mich., when he pulled his groin.
He's been on the shelf ever since, working out to heal the injury, throwing bullpen and charting pitches during games. Bell is no doubt itching to get back into game action, though.
"I'm ready to go," said Bell, a former Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim first-round pick who is in his third year in the minor leagues. "[The team] is making sure, so I've got one more week."
Bell is scheduled to return on Thursday for a start at Lansing.
