Chukars Corner

The Chukars made a pair of roster moves Wednesday as outfielder Allen Caldwell left the team to recover from a shoulder injury at his home in South Carolina and fourth-round draft pick Chris Dwyer, a left-handed pitcher out of Clemson, was added to the pitching staff.

Dwyer’s selection by the Kansas City Royals was a historical one. The lefty became the first player drafted out of a four-year college after his freshman year.

According to the rules of the First-Year Player Draft, a player from a four-year college must have finished their junior season or be 21 years old. Dwyer was born April 10, 1988. A freshman had not been selected, or even been eligible, since the draft was instituted in 1965.

The Massachusetts native made 17 starts for Clemson in 2009, finishing 5-6 with a 4.92 ERA and 95 strikeouts in 86 innings.

Caldwell leaves the Chukars after being the mainstay in right field for most of the 2009 season. In his second professional season, and first in the Pioneer League, Caldwell hit .255 in 41 games. Caldwell had 11 extra-base hits and he had 17 walks compared to 22 strikeouts. The strong-armed southpaw will see the Royals team doctor in Arizona later this month and is expected to be ready in time for the Royals Fall Instructional League.