When the Clinton Lumberkings open the Midwest League season this week they will be without their manager. General manager Ted Tornow says Eddie Menchaca will miss the first two weeks of the season. Menchaca’s wife is expecting a second child and the hitting coach is filling in to start the year.
Tornow says Jesus Azuaje will serve as interim manager the first couple of weeks. He served as Clinton’s hitting coach in 2009.
There will be plenty of familar faces as about a dozen players return from last year’s team that came within an eyelash of winning the Midwest League title.
Tornow say they hope the returning players can mesh with the new guys and play well together. The Lumberkings open the season at home on Thursday night against the Burlington Bees.