Team Italy invites catcher Sal Giardina to Arizona camp and auditions pitcher Rich Mascheri during Instructional League Exhibition Series
Team Italy manager Gilberto "Gibo" Gerali got a glimpse of Atlanta Braves catching prospect Sal Giardina and former New York Yankees minor league pitcher Rich Mascheri during the Azzurri's Minor League Baseball camp and Arizona Instructional League Exhibition Series. 
After reporting to Team Italy camp at Oakland Athletics minor league training facility in Mesa, Arizona, catcher Sal Giardina did not have the opportunity to see any playing time for Team Italy due to a rainout of the scheduled Instructional League Exhibition Series opener against the Oakland A's on October 2, 2018; however, the Braves' 31st-round selection from the 2014 MLB draft out of Lynn University did have some productive bullpen sessions with Azzurri pitchers prior to his departure. During his 23 games catching for Atlanta Braves Triple-A affiliate Gwinnett Stripers, 26-year-old Sal Giardina hit .309 with one home run and six RBI in 73 plate appearances.
Without switch-hitter Sal Giardina in the lineup against an Oakland Athletics minor league team at Fitch Park on October 3, Team Italy suffered a 14-4 loss in the Instructional League Exhibition Series opener. The Azzurri bounced back the following day with a 4-3 win over a Cincinnati Reds minor league squad in Goodyear. Former New York Yankees minor league pitcher Rich Mascheri earned the win for Team Italy after his two-inning appearance in the Azzurri's 8-0 shutout victory over a group of Texas Rangers minor leaguers in Surprise on October 5, 2018. The 29-year-old left-handed hurler struck out three of the six hitters he faced with a lethal combination of his fastball, changeup and cutter. Since playing for New York Yankees Single-A Advanced affiliate Tampa Yankees in 2013 and subsequently being released after enduring a shoulder injury, relief pitcher Rich Mascheri has been been on the comeback trail by playing independent league baseball. Last seen playing for the American Associations' Chicago Dogs in 2018, Rich Mascheri went 4-1 during his 32 appearances and 61.2 innings of work with a 2.34 ERA and 63 strikeouts.
Team Italy manager Gibo Gerali believes in the competitive spirit of pitcher Rich Mascheri and thinks he is one of the players who can help the Azzurri in the near future. On the more immediate front, Team Italy continues its Instructional League Exhibition Series with a game against Los Angeles Dodgers minor leaguers in Glendale on October 8 followed by a rematch against the Oakland A’s in Mesa on October 10. The Italians return to Glendale for an exhibition contest against the Chicago White Sox on October 11 and end their Arizona road trip in a finale with the Kansas City Royals in Surprise on October 12. Forza #Italia! #LetsMakeItHappen
by Roberto Angotti
