The latest round of transactions from Baseball America was unkind to former Boise Hawks – as a quartet of players who were in limbo after not being named to the four long-season Cubs affiliates were subsequently released.

Left-handed pitchers James Leverton (’08), Chris Sigfried (’07), and Marcos Perez (’10), along with Alvaro Ramirez (’10) (pictured right) – who led the Hawks in hitting last season (but was 24 years of age), were all released at the conclusion of minor league Spring Training and prior to the start of the 50-game Extended Spring Training season.

Other news – with former Hawks Andrew Cashner (’08) and Randy Wells (’01) put on the disabled list by the Cubs, Jeff Stevens was called up by the big club, and it is expected that Casey Coleman (’08) will start for the Cubs on Sunday in Milwaukee.  It is conceivable that another reliever may be called up to help in the bullpen – which could be an opening for Chris Carpenter (’08), who had an outstanding Spring Training with the big club.

Also today, despite giving up six runs in the home opener at Fenway Park, John Lackey (’97) picked up his first win of the season, defeating the Yankees, 9-6.