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.

The MLB season is nearly a week old, while the full-season Minor League teams will begin their seasons on Thursday and Friday.  The four Cubs affiliates (Iowa Cubs – AAA, Tennessee Smokies – AA, Daytona Cubs – Advanced A, Peoria Chiefs – A) have announced their rosters with dozens of former Hawks peppering their roster.

For the complete list of players, click here – AlumniReport4-5-11

The players who have not been assigned to the full season affiliates will remain at Fitch Park in Mesa to begin Extended Spring Training or rehab programs for injuries.

A total of 25 players who previously played for the Hawks have been released during the off-season – including Corey Martin, Mike Perconte, Danny Keefe, and Carlos Rojas, who were let go by the Cubs last week.

A couple interesting moves – former outfielders Ryan Harvey (’04) and Kyler Burke (’07, ’08) are being converted to pitchers – Harvey in the Red Sox organization and Burke with the Cubs.  Josh Harrison (’08) looks to be the starting second baseman for the Indianapolis Indians in the Pirates organization, while three former Hawks – Darin Downs (’04-’06), Jose Ceda (’06), and Adalberto Mendez (’03) are all with the New Orleans Zephyrs, the AAA affiliate of the Florida Marlins.

A total of 14 former Boise Hawks have made the 2011 Opening Day rosters in the Major Leagues, while eight other players have earned a spot on their club’s 40-Man Roster.

Of the 14, only one (Andrew Cashner) is on his first Opening Day roster, while no new former Hawks have cracked the big leagues to start 2011.

The list – Felix Pie (’02) – Baltimore; John Lackey (’97) – Boston; Joel Peralta (’99) – Tampa Bay; Jerry Blevins (’04, ’06) – Oakland; Francisco Rodriguez (’00) – New York Mets; Ricky Nolasco (’02) – Florida; Ronny Cedeno (’02) – Pittsburgh; Sergio Mitre (’01) – Milwaukee; Andrew Cashner (’08), Sean Marshall (’03), Randy Wells (’01), Geovany Soto (’02), Tyler Colvin (’06), Jeff Samarzija (’06) – Chicago Cubs.

On the 40-Man – Jose Ceda (’07) – Florida; Josh Donaldson (’07) – Oakland; Al Albuquerque (’06) – Detroit; Robinson Chirnios (’02), Brandon Guyer (’07) – Tampa Bay; Alberto Cabrera (’07), Casey Coleman (’08), Welington Castillo (’06) – Chicago Cubs.

In the next week or so, I will have the assignments for former Hawks as the Full Season minor league teams break camp – and a list of who is no longer with various organizations.