(Central Islip, N.Y., April 4, 2023) – Former Long Island Ducks relief pitcher Michael Tonkin made his first appearance back in the Major Leagues with the Atlanta Braves on Sunday, April 2. He becomes the 28th player in Ducks history to reach the Major League level after playing with Long Island.
“Michael proved he could succeed at a high level during his time with the Ducks,” said Ducks President/GM Michael Pfaff. “He earned this opportunity to achieve his Major League dream once again, and we congratulate him on this accomplishment.”
Tonkin pitched with the Ducks during the 2019 and 2021 season, also serving as the team’s bullpen coach during the latter. In 37 appearances, he compiled a 5-3 record with a 0.41 ERA and 16 saves. In 43.2 innings of work, he conceded just two earned runs on 19 hits and 14 walks while striking out 52 batters. The right-hander twice had his contract purchased while with the Ducks, joining the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2019 and Toros de Tijuana of the Mexican League in 2021.
The 33-year-old returns to the Major Leagues after spending five prior seasons at the game’s highest level, all with the Minnesota Twins (2013-17). He made 141 appearances with the Twins, totaling a 3-3 record with a 4.43 ERA and 149 strikeouts to 54 walks in 146.1 innings. The California native pitched in relief upon his return to the big leagues with the Braves on Sunday, retiring all seven batters he faced. He recorded a pair of strikeouts in Atlanta’s 4-1 defeat to the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park.
Tonkin becomes the second Ducks alumnus to be called up to MLB by the Braves after playing with the Ducks, joining Ken Ray (2002). He is also the fourth member of the 2019 Ducks championship team to reach the big leagues, joining Tim Melville, Sean Nolin and Zack Weiss.
| PLAYER | YEAR(S) WITH DUCKS | PROMOTED BY | PROMOTION YEAR |
| Michael Tonkin | 2019, 2021 | Atlanta Braves | 2023 |
| Zack Weiss | 2019 | Los Angeles Angels | 2022 |
| Rob Zastryzny | 2021 | Pittsburgh Pirates Los Angeles Angels New York Mets |
2023 2022 2022 |
| Deven Marrero | 2022 | New York Mets | 2022 |
| Jose Cuas | 2018-19, 2021 | Kansas City Royals | 2022 |
| Sean Nolin | 2019 | Washington Nationals | 2021 |
| Mickey Jannis | 2015 | Baltimore Orioles | 2021 |
| Emilio Bonifacio | 2018 | Washington Nationals | 2020 |
| Fernando Abad | 2018 | Baltimore Orioles San Francisco Giants |
2021 2019 |
| Wilkin Castillo | 2018 | Miami Marlins | 2019 |
| Henderson Alvarez | 2017 | Philadelphia Phillies | 2017 |
| Quintin Berry | 2017 | Milwaukee Brewers | 2017 |
| Tim Melville | 2017, 2019 | Colorado Rockies San Diego Padres Minnesota Twins |
2019 2017 2017 |
| Rich Hill | 2015 | Pittsburgh Pirates Boston Red Sox New York Mets Tampa Bay Rays Minnesota Twins Los Angeles Dodgers Oakland Athletics Boston Red Sox |
2023 2022 2021 2021 2020 2016-19 2016 2015, 2022 |
| Scott Rice | 2008 | New York Mets | 2013-14 |
| Lew Ford | 2009, 2011-Present | Baltimore Orioles | 2012 |
| Kip Wells | 2010 | San Diego Padres | 2012 |
| Justin Hampson | 2010 | New York Mets | 2012 |
| Joey Gathright | 2010 | Boston Red Sox | 2011 |
| Robinson Cancel | 2010 | Houston Astros | 2011 |
| Erick Almonte | 2006 | Milwaukee Brewers | 2011 |
| Jay Gibbons | 2008 | Los Angeles Dodgers | 2010 |
| Mel Stocker | 2006 | Milwaukee Brewers | 2007 |
| Nelson Figueroa | 2006 | Houston Astros Philadelphia Phillies New York Mets |
2010-11 2010 2008-09 |
| Ken Ray | 2002 | Atlanta Braves | 2006 |
| Bill Pulsipher | 2004 | St. Louis Cardinals | 2005 |
| Pedro Borbon Jr. | 2003 | St. Louis Cardinals | 2003 |
| Carlos Baerga | 2001 | Washington Nationals Arizona Diamondbacks Boston Red Sox |
2005 2003-04 2002 |
The Long Island Ducks are members of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball, a Professional Partner League of Major League Baseball. Over 8.5 million fans have enjoyed the Ducks brand of affordable, fun entertainment at Fairfield Properties Ballpark since inception in 2000. For further information, visit LIDucks.com or call 631-940-DUCK (3825).
About the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB)
Celebrating its 25th Anniversary Season in 2023, the Atlantic League is Major League Baseball’s first Professional Partner League, a player gateway to the major leagues, and a leader in baseball innovation. ALPB has sent over 1,200 players to MLB organizations while drawing more than 45 million fans to its family-friendly ballparks throughout its 25-year history. Please visit AtlanticLeague.com.
###