Around The Minors; Wandy Returns, Matz Brilliant

May 31, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher

(51) throws a pitch against the Cincinnati Reds during the fourth inning at PNC Park. The Cincinnati Reds won 6-0. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Just some notes from around the minors on the anniversary of Kirby Puckett‘s untimely retirement at the age of 35.

> Last night, Pirates lefthander Wandy Rodriguez began  working his way back from a forearm injury that has sidelined him since June. The 34 year old veteran gave up one earned run over three innings, striking out 1 in the AAA Indianapolis Indian’s 2-1 loss to Durham. The Pirates have stated that he will return to the majors shortly, albeit in a bullpen role.

>In that same game, Rays’ prospect, Merrill Kelly, was terrific. The 24 year old reeled off 5 2/3 shutout innings for Durham to extend his terrific AAA regular season into the playoffs. Slight and slender, the 6’1, 170 pound righthander had a breakout year in AAA in 2013, putting up a 3.19 ERA over 14 starts and one relief appearance, possibly working his way into Tampa Bay’s 2014 plans.

>Mets pitching prospect Steven Matz fired seven shutout innings, striking out eight and allowing only a single in last night’s Savannah Sand Gnats victory over the Augusta Green Jackets. Drafted out of high school in the second round in 2009, Matz had his career setback after undergoing Tommy John Surgery before ever throwing a professional pitch. Now 22, the young lefthander has had a breakout season this year, posting a 2.62 ERA and a 10.2 SO/9

>For another Pirates’ farm club, the West Virginia Power, 22 year old right fielder Walker Gourley collected 4 hits en route to a 6-3 victory over Hagerstown. The athletic outfielder broke out this season to a .304 average with six home runs and a .747 OPS. The victory tied the series at 1-1, with the  finale coming tomorrow night at seven.

>Astros’ pitching prospect Michael Feliz struck out eight over seven shutout innings in the Tri-City ValleyCats 1-0 loss to Aberdeen in the NY Penn league playoff. Feliz, 19, was brilliant this year, reeling off a 1.69 ERA over 69 innings while posting an Cliff Lee-Esque 6.00 K/BB ratio. Feliz had been on our radar for a couple years, appearing on our “Top 100 Prospect Snubs” before the 2012 season, but had his first significant success this season, adding himself to a long list of talented youngsters in the Astros’ system.