The Kansas City T-Bones are proud to announce that former pitcher Justin James has been promoted to the Triple-A affiliate of the Oakland Athletics.

James, 29, joined the Double-A Midland RockHounds this season after having his contract purchased from Kansas City on June 17, 2010. He held a 1-0 record and 2.29 ERA in 12 appearances for the RockHounds before being called up to Sacramento. The right-hander made his first appearance for the River Cats last night, throwing a perfect ninth inning in an 8-1 win over Colorado Springs.

James joined the T-Bones on April 27, 2009, after spending six years in affiliated baseball. A product of the University of Missouri, James was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in the fifth round of the 2003 amateur draft and was traded to the Cincinnati Reds in 2007. Throughout the six seasons, he split time between several leagues, including a 36-game stint in the Triple-A International League in 2007.

James was the first T-Bones player to have his contract purchased this season and is the 19th overall since 2003.