The Sioux Fall Canaries announced a series of roster moves on Monday morning, including the return of former Canaries infielder Jake Taylor, and the signing of LHP Billy Waltrip.

Jake Taylor returns to the Sioux Falls Canaries after spending the last two seasons playing for the St. Paul Saints and Joplin Blasters. Taylor put together the best statistical season of his career with the Blasters in 2015. He posted career highs in hits (105), batting average (.292), extra base hits (36), homeruns (15), triples (6), RBI (56), runs scores (47) and games played (98).

Taylor appeared in 144 games for the Canaries during the 2012-13 seasons, posting a combined .253 batting average, while collecting 46 extra bases hits and 55 runs batted in.

Billy Waltrip comes to the Canaries after spending two seasons In the Colorado Rockies minor league system. The southpaw has made 45 relief appearances in his two-year career, going 3-2 with a 7.69 ERA over 52 2/3 innings. Waltrip recorded a career-high 31 strikeouts for the Tri-City Dust Devils (Class A Affiliate) in 2014, while making 25 appearances over 30 2/3 innings of work.

Waltrip made his Canaries debut on Sunday night, striking out five batters over two shutout innings.

The Canaries also announced on Monday morning that shortstop Jerome Pena has signed a contract with the Mexican League’s Vaqueros de la Laguna. Pena posted a .212 batting average with seven doubles and eight walks in 17 games with the Canaries this season.

Additionally, the Canaries have also announced that catcher Cameron Garfield has officially announced his retirement from the game of baseball. Garfield held a .158 batting average with three doubles and nine RBI in 11 games with the Canaries in 2016.

The Canaries released RHP Shane Street on Monday morning and announced that outfielder Cameron Monger has gone on the seven-day disabled listed, retroactive to June 3rd.

Taylor is expected to make his 2016 Canaries debut tonight when the Canaries open up a three-game road series against the Lincoln SaltDogs at Haymarket Park. RHP Shawn Blackwell (1-1, 5.68 ERA) will make his fourth start of the season, with first pitch scheduled for 6:35 PM.

The Canaries return home on Thursday, June 9th when they open up a four-game series against the defending North Division Champion, St. Paul Saints. Contact the Canaries ticket office for information regarding single game or season ticket options by calling 605-336-6060 or visit the website at www.sfcanaries.com for more information.


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