Baseball News and Notes: Darwin in town, Reyes signs

A quick look around the bases:

--Darwin Barney, now with the Triple-A Iowa Cubs, is in Portland for a brief stretch this week to play the Portland Beavers. He went 2-for-4 in the series opener Tuesday, and again went 2-for-4 last night. If you'd like to get out to PGE Park to catch a game, you can do so through Friday. 

Ian Ruder had a nice feature on Darwin in this morning's Oregonian. The piece is supplemented with additional pictures and video on OregonLive.com. 

Barney, who only played 74 games at the Double-A level before getting promoted, knows that yet another promotion-- to the major leagues-- probably won't come as easy. 

"They say (Triple A) is one step away, but in reality someone else is also one step away from getting traded and taking your spot in the big leagues that you were going to take," he said. "I feel far away still."

Darwin is engaged and has a 9-month old daughter, and he said it has helped him focus. Said his fiancee:

"[Having a daughter at home] gives him drive to be able to provide for us," she said. "That's what he's said numerous times, is he's trying to (play baseball) to make a living. He loves the sport, but he's trying to make a living for both of us, too."

Barney is hitting .277 in just over 40 games with the Iowa Cubs. 

--Jorge Reyes became the third player to leave the Oregon State program this season, joining Joey Wong and Ryan Ortiz. He agreed to a deal with the San Diego Padres just before Monday night's signing deadline. From Jim Beseda of the Oregonian: 

Reyes, selected in the 17th round of the June draft, received a $200,000 signing bonus according to Baseball America in deciding to forego his final season of college eligibility.

The right-hander from Warden, Wash., is expected to report to the Padres' spring training facility in Peoria, Ariz., and it's possible that the team will assign him to the Eugene Emeralds for the final two weeks of the Class-A Northwest League regular season.

--Jake (jake.buildingthedam@gmail.com)