Goldeyes hard hit with loss of set-up man Homer

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This article was published 29/05/2009 (6068 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

THE Winnipeg Goldeyes were scrambling Thursday to find an emergency replacement for set-up man Chris Homer.

Homer, who has yet to give up a run this season and has been the club’s most effective reliever, abruptly left the team Thursday to fly home to Pennsylvania to take care of what the Goldeyes are decribing as a "personal matter."

Homer accompanied the team by bus to Joliet, where the club arrived Thursday afternoon in advance of the start of a three-game series against the Jackhammers that’s scheduled to begin tonight.

Goldeyes GM Andrew Collier said Homer flew home from Chicago and it is not clear when — or if — he will return to the club.

However, Collier said the team has kept the door open, placing Homer on the inactive list — which means he can return to the roster after 30 days.

"It’s entirely non-baseball related," Collier said.

"He just had some things at home that had to be dealt with.

"Our hope is he can go home and take care of what he needs to and then come back."

Homer, one of the senior members of the Fish staff at age 28, has been outstanding out of the bullpen, where he has worked almost exclusively the eighth innings as the set-up man for closer Matt Davis.

He’s appeared in five games and given up just two hits and no runs in 5 2/3 innings of work, with opponents hitting just .105 against him.

Collier said the Homer’s departure, which came as a complete surprise to the Fish, has manager Rick Forney now working overtime to fill his roster.

The Goldeyes were already short a position player before Homer left, but are expected to fill that spot by bringing outfielder Kurt Crowell off the disabled list.

That will then give the Fish a 21-man active roster, with the 22nd spot now reserved for a pitcher to replace Homer, at least for the next month.