WINNIPEG, MB – The Winnipeg Goldeyes continue to add familiar faces to their lineup, re-signing left-handed pitchers Zack Dodson and Kenny Mathews.

Dodson finished 5-7 in 20 starts last season with the Goldeyes. The San Antonio, Texas native ranked 11th in the American Association in strikeouts with 98, while maybe even more impressively issued two or fewer walks 14 times and walked three batters or less in 17 of his 20 starts.

Dodson enters his 10th season of professional baseball since begin drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the fourth round in 2009 out of Medina Valley High School in Castroville, Texas.

Mathews, who is entering his fifth season of professional baseball next season, finished 3-2 with a 2.63 ERA in 33 relief appearances last year. The southpaw from Glendora, California was the model of consistency for the Goldeyes, not allowing an earned run in 23 of his 33 outings and over his final 27 regular season appearances Mathews pitched to a 1.72 ERA in 31.1 innings. Mathews has averaged 8.1 strikeouts per nine innings as a professional, and has yielded just five home runs in 129.2 lifetime innings.

“Both Zack and Kenny played big roles on our club last year,” said Goldeyes’ manager Rick Forney. “I’m hoping they can provide quality innings for us in 2018.”

With the signings the Goldeyes now have 16 players under contract for the 2018 season. American Association clubs may carry up to 28 players during spring training, which begins May 6th.

The Goldeyes open the 2018 season on May 18th on the road against the Cleburne Railroaders. The Goldeyes’ 2018 home opener is Friday, May 25th versus the Sioux Falls Canaries at Shaw Park.

Bill Burfoot, Manitoba Post

Photo – supplied by Winnipeg Goldeyes