chuck’s up

Former Mississippi Braves left-hander Chuck James is back in the big leagues for the first time since 2008. James was promoted by Minnesota on Saturday when Joe Nathan went on the disabled list. James, who relies heavily on location and off-speed stuff, was a sensation with the M-Braves in 2005 (9-1, 2.01 ERA) and posted some impressive results in Atlanta in 2006 (11-4, 3.78) and 2007 (11-10, 4.24). But things went south for him quickly in ’08; he was shipped to the minors with a 2-5 record and a 9.10 ERA. He never got back to Atlanta and was soon out of the Braves organization. Apparently, he has rediscovered his touch. He had a 1.57 ERA in Triple-A with the Twins. He’ll work out of their bullpen, probably getting some of the lefty-specific work that had been going to Delta State product Dusty Hughes, who has been spotty.