The Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks added the Northern League career leader in home runs Thursday, signing veteran Harry Berrios.
In his ninth season in the league, Berrios has hit 104 home runs entering Thursday. He is also the league's career leader in hits (911), RBIs (515) and runs (466) and previously played for Sioux Falls, Thunder Bay, Schaumburg and Winnipeg.
"He's been around the league," RedHawks manager Doug Simunic said before his team played the Winnipeg Goldeyes on Thursday at Newman Outdoor Field. "He should know the pitching in the league."
Winnipeg released Berrios over the All-Star break. He batted .319 (54-for-210) with six doubles, one triple, three home runs and 28 RBIs in 54 games with the Goldeyes.
To make room for Berrios, the RedHawks released designated hitter Eric Kofler, who batted .209 with 10 home runs and 28 RBIs in 50 games. However, Kofler hadn't hit a home run since June 28. Kofler had been hampered by a quadriceps injury for the most of the season.
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"We couldn't wait any longer," Simunic said. "He wasn't hitting the ball over the fence anymore and he couldn't run around the bases. I hated to do it."
Berrios was in the F-M lineup for the first time Thursday, batting No. 5 and playing designated hitter. Berrios singled to center field in the second inning in his first at-bat with the RedHawks.
The RedHawks were on the brink of signing lefty veteran slugger Jon Weber, who played with F-M in 2002 and 2003.
Las Vegas - a Los Angeles Dodgers affiliate in the Triple-A Pacific Coast League - released Weber over the weekend. Simunic said he had agreed to terms with Weber, but the Arizona Diamondbacks organization signed Weber on Thursday.
Weber was assigned to the Diamondbacks' Triple-A team in Tucson.
"It would have been huge, but it didn't happen," Simunic said. "Good for him."
Weber batted .258 with 18 doubles, one triple, two home runs and 31 RBIs in 82 games with Las Vegas.
The RedHawks are having their Breast Cancer Awareness night tonight when they host the Goldeyes. The RedHawks will be wearing pink jerseys that will be auctioned off with the proceeds going to breast cancer research. ... Right-handed pitcher Mark Michael (6-3, 4.87 ERA) is scheduled to start for the RedHawks on Saturday. Winnipeg is expected to counter with right-hander Ben Moore (2-1, 2.45 ERA).
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Readers can reach Forum reporter Eric Peterson at (701) 241-5513
