For the second consecutive year, only four players with Hawai'i ties started the season on major league baseball rosters.

Also there are four fewer players than a year ago assigned to minor leagues with major league affiliations.

Catcher Kurt Suzuki (Baldwin '01) of the Oakland Athletics and center fielder Shane Victorino (St. Anthony '99) of the Philadelphia Phillies are starters for their respective teams. Brandon League (Saint Louis '01) and Tyler Yates (Kaua'i '95/Hawai'i-Hilo '96 to '98) are relief pitchers for the Toronto Blue Jays and Pittsburgh Pirates, respectively.

The only other player with ties to Hawai'i on the big league 40-man roster is first baseman Kila Ka'aihue ('Iolani '02), who was optioned to Triple-A Omaha by the parent Kansas City Royals during spring training.

Last year, there were six players with Hawai'i ties on Triple-A rosters; this year only two. Besides Ka'aihue, catcher Dane Sardinha (Kamehameha '97) is with Toledo, the Triple-A team of the Detroit Tigers.

There are more players in Double-A this year (6) than last year (5). Former University of Hawai'i pitcher Steven Wright is at Akron (Cleveland Indians). Kanekoa Texeira (Kamehameha '04) is with Trenton (New York Yankees). Texeira was part of the off-season trade that brought him and Nick Swisher from the Chicago White Sox.

The majority of players with ties to Hawai'i are in Low-A. Four are former Rainbows: catcher Matt Inouye (Kannapolis/White Sox), infielder Jon Hee (Greenville/Red Sox), shortstop Troy Hanzawa (Lakewood/Phillies) and pitcher Matt Daly (Lansing/Blue Jays).

As for players drafted in June, pitcher Dustin Antolin (Mililani '08) is assigned to Low-A Lansing (Blue Jays), but is on the disabled list. Also, pitcher Randy Castillo ('Aiea '08) is in extended spring training with the Mariners, as is pitcher Kaimi Mead (Roosevelt '03/Hawai'i Pacific '07 to '08) with the Indians. However, former UH outfielder Brandon Haislet was released by the Phillies in spring training.

Also in extended spring training is former Rainbow first baseman Kris Sanchez, who is recovering from an oblique strain in Mariners camp. He said he will be assigned to Low-A Clinton later.

Meanwhile, Bronson Sardinha (Kamehameha '01) was released from the Tigers training camp.

Former Rainbows Mark Rodrigues, Justin Frash and Tyler Davis were released in the off-season. Davis, however, signed with the independent Southern Illinois Miners. Also, former 'Bow Ian Harrington retired before spring training.

Pitcher Shane Komine (Kalani '98) signed with the independent Newark Bears.