Salkeld Tries to Control Destiny in Triple-A Ball

Time is running out for Roger Salkeld (Saugus High), the third player selected in the 1989 draft. The 6-foot-5, 220-pound right-handed pitcher reached triple-A in 1991 and was called up by the Seattle Mariners--the team that drafted him--in 1993.

Much of that promise has faded, however. Salkeld’s only full major league season came in 1996 when he was 8-5 with a 5.20 earned-run average for the Cincinnati Reds after being traded by Seattle for veteran right-hander Tim Belcher.

Since then he has toiled in triple-A, going 4-8 with a 6.75 ERA last season at Indianapolis.

Salkeld, 27, was granted free agency after last season and signed with the Houston Astros. He has continued to struggle, however, going 2-4 with a 5.94 ERA this year.

Control has been a problem. He has walked 40 and struck out 53 in 47 innings this season, and in 183 big league innings has walked 103 while striking out 141.