Two more join Flock

(Central Islip, N.Y., April 4, 2013) – The Atlantic League champion Long Island Ducks today announced the signings of outfielder Danny Perales and pitcher James Houser. Perales and Houser begin their first seasons on Long Island.

“We are very happy to add a solid outfielder in Danny and a quality bullpen arm in James to our roster,” says Ducks president and general manager Michael Pfaff. “Both players are eager to help keep the championship trophy on Long Island.”

Perales joins the Ducks after spending the 2012 season with Las Vegas (AAA, Blue Jays) in the Pacific Coast League. He posted a .279 batting average with six homers, 39 RBI and 18 doubles in 72 games. The 28-year-old also split time in 2011 with Las Vegas and New Hampshire (AA, Blue Jays), combining to hit .266 with five home runs, 46 RBI and 17 doubles in 83 games.

The California native has also played in the Arizona Diamondbacks and Cincinnati Reds organizations during his seven-year career. His best season came in 2007 with South Bend (A, Diamondbacks) when he batted .282 with 16 homers, 92 RBI, 156 hits, 32 doubles and 10 triples in 136 games. The University of Southern California alum was originally drafted by the Diamondbacks in the 22nd round of the 2006 amateur draft.

Houser comes to Long Island after splitting time with the York Revolution and Camden Riversharks last season. He combined to go 5-1 with a 4.88 ERA and 55 strikeouts in 58 games (two starts). The southpaw reached the Major Leagues as a member of the Florida Marlins in 2010, pitching in relief against the Baltimore Orioles on June 24.

A native of Florida, he has played nine seasons of professional baseball. The 28-year-old won a career-high and California League-best 12 games for Visalia (A, Devil Rays) in 2006 and posted a miniscule 2.86 ERA two seasons later with Montgomery (AA, Devil Rays). He has a career record of 41-34 with a 4.04 ERA and 630 strikeouts in 211 games (129 starts). Houser was originally drafted by the Devil Rays in the second round of the 2003 amateur draft.

The Long Island Ducks are members of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball and play their home games at Bethpage Ballpark. Opening Day is April 26. For further information, call (631) 940-DUCK or visit www.liducks.com.

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