SOME SUCCESSES AND SOME FAILURES FOR THIS GROUP OF FORMER ATLANTIC LEAGUE HURLERS

It would not be very surprising to see a couple of major league veterans with recent Atlantic League ties return to the league after they did not make it to Opening Day with the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Brian Sweeney, who trained with Somerset last April only to be picked up by Seattle prior to the start of the Atlantic League season, got in a few innings with the D-Backs during spring training before ultimately being released.

The other case, also involving a right-handed pitcher, saw Arizona sign Kip Wells shortly before spring training only to drop him a few weeks later. Wells, 33, made five starts for Long Island last season (2-2, 4.00) in his only professional work during 2010. He has a 67-99 major league record.

Sweeney, 36, spent a good part of last year with the parent Mariners, compiling a 1-2record and a creditable 3.16 earned run average in 24 relief appearances. He pitched in Japan during the three previous seasons.

BUMP, JULIO ON MOUND STAFFS

Onetime Camden righty Nate Bump, 8-4, 3.35 with Philadelphia's Triple-A club in Lehigh Valley (Allentown) last season, was tabbed to start the Iron Pigs' second game of the season on Friday. He bolstered his chances of one day getting back to the majors with five strong innings for the parent team against Houston late in spring training. Bump was on one of those one-day invitations from the minor league camp.

Another former Atlantic League hurler, Jorge Julio, a strong closer for Bridgeport last season, is with Pittsburgh's top farm club in Indianapolis in his bid to return to the majors.

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