June 2, 2018

CHAMPIONS SIGN CARELA, RELEASE CANADIAN RHP ST. PIERRE

By Mike Nellis

OTTAWA – Fresh off their first American road trip of the season, the Ottawa Champions have made two roster moves to patch up the bullpen heading into a crucial nine-game homestand Friday.
 
The Champions placed Canadian RHP BOBBY ST. PIERRE (Windsor, Ont.) on irrevocable waivers, effective May 31. To fill his roster spot, Ottawa has signed RHP DANIEL CARELA, who joins his third Can-Am League team.
 
“After losing (Tyler) Knigge to injury, we need to find someone to replace him with experience, and with Carela he does that,” said Champions manager Hal Lanier. “He’s already spent time in this league. He threw a bullpen for us in New Jersey last week and we liked what we saw.”
 
Carela, 30, is a native of New York City and joined the Champions when they returned from New Jersey. He will be available for the upcoming weekend series against the Sussex County Miners.
 
The right-hander played for Sussex County his last stint in the Can-Am League, where he appeared 23 times. He pitched primarily as a late reliever, ending the season with a 1-0 record. His 3.11 ERA was the best of any pitcher on the 2017 Miners roster.
 
He’ll get a chance to face his former team, when the Champions host Sussex County this weekend.
 
St. Pierre (Windsor, Ont.) had an ERA of 13.50 in four appearances at the time of his release, allowing nine earned runs on as many hits.