The Thunder just got word from the front office that Hector Noesi, one of the organization's top pitching prospects and the Tampa ace, has been promoted to Double-A. He is tentatively scheduled to start on Friday against Portland.

This explains the move of Ryan Pope to the bullpen, and fills the empty spot vacated by Josh Schmidt.

With Tampa, Noesi was 5-2 with a 2.72 ERA in eight starts. He struck out 53 in 43 innings and walked just six.

Much more on the promotion later.