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Clayton's Archer to make MLB debut Wednesday

Jun 19, 2012

Durham, N.C. — Clayton native Chris Archer got the call to the show Tuesday and will make his Major League debut Wednesday night against the Washington Nationals opposite Stephen Strasburg.

Archer will take Jeremy Hellickson's spot in Tampa Bay's rotation. Hellickson is headed to the disabled list with what the Rays are calling "fatigue" in his pitching shoulder.

Archer currently leads the International League in strikeouts with 90 in 14 starts and has posted a quality start in eight of his last 10. He recorded a season-high 12 strikeouts against Norfolk on May 24. More Info     More Bulls Stories

Archer has gone 4-8 with a 4.81 ERA with Triple-A Durham this season. In his last outing, Archer helped the Bulls snap a four-game skid by allowing just two runs on three hits over seven innings.

Archer was named the IL Pitcher of the Week on May 14 after posting a 2-0 record with 14 strikeouts the week prior.

Archer returned to the Triangle late last season when he joined Durham in the Matt Garza trade that sent the righty to the Chicago Cubs. He started two games for the Bulls at the end of the year going 1-0 and giving up just one earned run in 13 innings.

Archer went to Chicago from the Cleveland Indians organization in the Mark DeRosa trade in 2008. He was drafted by Cleveland in the fifth round of the 2006 draft opting to go pro over attending the University of Miami.