2 Lucky Ducks Are Leaving Long Island For The Major Leagues

CENTRAL ISLIP, NY – The Long Island Ducks just kicked off their 24th season at home at Fairfield Properties Ballpark on April 26 and two pitchers are already moving on to the big leagues.

Right-handed pitches Chris Ellis and Dan Strail have had their contracts purchased by Major League organizations, sending Ellis to the Arizona Diamondbacks Triple-A affiliate, the Reno Aces, while Straily will head to the Chicago Cubs Triple-A affiliate, the Iowa Cubs.

“We’d like to congratulate both Chris and Dan on this exciting opportunity,” said Ducks Manager Lew Ford. “Both pitchers have reached the Major Leagues before, and we wish them luck in their quest to return to The Show.”

Ellis, an Alabama native, has already spent some time in the major leagues. The 31-year-old played with the Kansas City Royals in 2019, the Tampa Bay Rays in 2021 and the Baltimore Orioles from 2021 to 2022. He made 10 appearances, including eight starts, going 1-0 with a 3.12 ERA and 25 strikeouts over 34.2 innings, the Ducks reported.

Meanwhile, Straily has eight seasons of Major League experience on his resume. The 35-year-oldCalifornia native pitched with the Oakland Athletics from 2012 to 2014, the Chicago Cubs in 2014, the Houston Astros in 2015, the Cincinnati Reds in 2016, Miami Marlins in 2017 and 2018 and spent 2019 with the Baltimore Orioles. Out of 156 games, including 140 starts, he combined to post a 44-40 record with a 4.56 ERA and 681 strikeouts to 312 walks over 803.1 innings pitched, according to the Ducks.

Ellis and Straily are the second and third members of the 2024 Ducks to have their contract purchased by a Major League organization or foreign professional league.

On April 15, right-handed pitcher Raynel Espinal’s contract was purchased by Rieleros de Aguascalientes of the Mexican League, according to the Ducks. Since beginning play in 2000, the Ducks have had 30 players reach the Major League level after joining the Long Island team.