David Dahl Returns To Asheville Following Demotion to Extended Spring Training

Rockies first round draft pick David Dahl is returning to Asheville according to a transactions report in the South Atlantic League and by RockiesRoster.com.

David Dahl has been assigned to Asheville Tourists (A).

— Rockies Roster (@rockiesroster) April 27, 2013

Dahl is returning from a stint in Extended Spring Training, where he was sent as a punitive measure by the Rockies for missing a 6 a.m. team flight to Asheville before the minor league season began. Citing Dahl's poor decision making leading up to the missed flight, the Rockies front office told the Denver Post they had reconsidered where to place David for the season.

Following the demotion, Dahl released a statement through his twitter feed responding to the demotion:

"I respect the Rockies decision and will continue to improve as a player, teammate, and as a person."

Based out of the Rockies spring training facility in Salt River Fields at Talking Stick, extended spring training is typically made up of players scheduled to play for Short-season teams such as Grand Junction or Tri Cities. It is also a place for rehabbing players to get healthy before being assigned to a team.

Last season, Dahl was voted the Pioneer League's Most Valuable Player after hitting .379 with nine home runs. He was drafted 10th overall in the first round of the 2012 draft and received a $2.6 million signing bonus from the Rockies. David played in one game going 0-for-4 before being sent down in April.

The Tourists have gone 13-8 in Dahl's absence and look to bolster the outfield which is hitting a placid .259 without him. Derek Jones was Dahl's replacement and has hit well since being promoted with a .308/.384/.569 rate. Jones could possibly move to first base - where he has played five games this year - to replace the recently injured Dean Espy, who was placed on the disabled list on April 24th. No other corresponding roster move has been made at this time.