Bonilla and Christensen Promoted to Double-A

FORT MYERS, FL – The first promotions of the 2003 season occurred following Tuesday nights game. Right-handed relief pitcher Henry Bonilla and third baseman and Fort Myers High graduate Mike Christensen were promoted to Double-A New Britain.

The 24-year-old Bonilla, who pitched for the Miracle in 2002, was 1-2 with a 4.91 ERA in 10 games. He was second on the ball club with three saves. In 11 innings pitched he walked just three and struck out 11. Bonilla recorded a career high 25 saves in 2001 while with Quad City.

The 26-year-old Christensen, a 1998 graduate of Fort Myers High School, was signed as a minor league free agent in January of 2003. He was hitting .200 with two homeruns and 15 RBI in 20 games. He spent the last two seasons with the Double-A affiliate of the Anaheim Angels before the Twins signed him in the off-season.

“We are doing our jobs,” said Miracle Manager Jose Marzan. “We try to develop guys, so they can move on to the next level. We wish both Bonilla and Christensen lots of luck at the next level."

The Miracle will add 23-year-old right-handed reliever Matt Vorwald to their roster. Vorwald is currently in extended spring rehabbing. He spent last season in Quad City and went 5-3 with a 2.34 ERA in 46 games. In 65.1 innings he walked 31 and struck out 77. The opposition hit just .189 against him. In August of 2002 he was disabled for the remainder of the season with a broken jaw.

Vorwald is 6’2, 190 pounds. He was the Twins seventh round pick in 2001 and resides in Freeport, IL and was a graduate of the University of Illinois.