Sawyer, Peralta Jr. promoted, Nuts add debuting pair of pitchers

The Lansing Lugnuts announced the following roster changes today, in conjunction with the Oakland Athletics:

- Pitcher Dalton Sawyer and infielder/outfielder Elvis Peralta, Jr., promoted to Double-A Midland

- Pitchers Jack Owen and Kyle Virbitsky assigned to the Lugnuts to begin their professional careers

Sawyer, 27, had made one appearance earlier this season with Midland. In 33 appearances with the Lugnuts, the southpaw whiffed 62 batters in 38 innings, limiting the opposition to a .203 average.

Peralta, Jr., 24, makes his first appearance in Double-A after a brief stint with Triple-A Las Vegas earlier this year. He finishes with a .216 average in Lansing, though his bat had caught fire as of late with doubles in his last five games and was slashing .357/.455/.536 in August. In his final game with the Lugnuts, he went 3-for-4 on Friday night with a walk, two singles, a double and three steals of second base.

6-foot-2 left-hander Owen, 23, was signed as an undrafted free agent from Auburn University, where he led the Tigers in innings pitched (51) and strikeouts (49) this past season. As a sophomore, he posted a team-leading 2.75 ERA and started the Tigers’ College World Series opener against Mississippi State. Owen is a native of Aliso Viejo, California.

6-foot-7 right-hander Virbitsky, 22, was drafted in the 17th round in 2021 from Penn State, where he was named a Big Ten Distinguished Scholar and All-Academic Big Ten, graduating with a degree in supply chain management and information systems. In 77 2/3 innings this past college baseball season, he struck out 88 batters while walking just 20. Virbitsky is a native of Media, Pennsylvania.

Owen is scheduled to start Sunday’s 1:05 p.m. series finale vs. Dayton, with Virbitsky following in relief.

View the updated Lugnuts roster, with 28 active players and 11 players on the Injured List.

The Lansing Lugnuts (42-46) play the fifth game in a six-game series tonight against the Dayton Dragons (High-A - Cincinnati; 47-41) at Jackson Field. For more information visit lansinglugnuts.com or call (517) 485-4500.