Cochran starts at Double-A

Former Wild Things pitcher Tom Cochran, pictured, who last year went from the independent ranks to Class AAA in the Cincinnati Reds' organization, will start the 2010 season with the Carolina Mudcats in the Double-A Southern League.

Cochran had a 5-6 record between Double-A and Triple-A last year after being signed by the Reds from Lancaster of the independent Atlantic League. During spring training, Cochran was pitching with Triple-A Louisville and threw four hitless innings in a start March 29. He was on Louisville's roster until Wednesday. Louisville had 18 pitchers Tuesday, and still has 14 (seven lefties) as of this writing.

Carolina opens its season Thursday against the Birmingham Barons, which is an affiliate of the Chicago White Sox. Birmingham's starting first baseman is likely to be former Peters Township High School standout Jim Gallagher. Though not on the 40-man roster, Gallagher started a couple of spring training games with the major-league team and had about a dozen at-bats.