FORMER JACKALS' PITCHER RAUL VALDES MAKES MAJOR LEAGUE DEBUT

Little Falls, NJ – Former New Jersey Jackals pitcher Raul Valdes made his Major League Debut on Sunday, April 11th for the New York Mets. Valdes entered the game in the sixth inning in the Mets game against the Washington Nationals. In two innings, Valdes was outstanding, only allowing two hits while striking out two. Valdes needed 36 pitches to get through the two innings of work with 25 of the pitches landing for strikes.

Valdes pitched for the Jackals in 2006. In 17 games for New Jersey, he accumulated a record of 7-3 with a 2.81 ERA and collected 62 strikeouts in 83 1/3 innings pitched. Valdes was also a Player of the Week selection for the week of July 17-23 in that season. Prior to playing for the Jackals, Valdes pitched for the Nashua Pride in 2006.

Valdes made his professional debut while playing for the Chicago Cubs organization in 2004. He would play two seasons for the Cubs minor league affiliates before playing in the Can-Am League in 2006. Prior to playing for the Chicago Cubs organization, Valdes played baseball in Cuba before he defected to the United States.

Valdes joins former Jackals’ pitcher Craig Breslow as the second former Jackals player to play in the Major League.

The New Jersey Jackals would like to wish Raul Valdes continued success as he plays with the Mets in the 2010 season.