Knights notes and probables as Gregory Polanco and Indianapolis Indians come to Charlotte

Knights (15-30) vs. Indians (26-19)

Thursday, 7:05 p.m.

RHP Erik Johnson (0-0, 3.38 ERA)

LHP Jeff Locke (1-1, 3.82 ERA)

Friday, 7:05 p.m.

RHP Felipe Paulino (0-3, 9.00 ERA)

RHP Vance Worley (1-1, 2.84 ERA)

Saturday, 7:05 p.m.

RHP Tommy Hanson (2-4, 4.60 ERA)

RHP Jake Brigham (1-2, 3.53 ERA)

Sunday 2:05 p.m.

TBD (It would be LHP Eric Surkamp’s turn in the rotation)

RHP Casey Sadler (5-1, 2.22 ERA)

* a previous version of this post had Tommy Hanson starting tonight, Erik Johnson tomorrow and Felipe Paulino on Saturday. 

Head to head: This is the first of two four-game series between the Indians and Charlotte. The Knights will head to Indianapolis in late July. 

Briefly: Micah Johnson made his BB&T BallPark debut on Tuesday and went 2-for-3 with a double, run scored and an RBI. Johnson, 23, was promoted to the Knights on May 13 from Double-A Birmingham after entering the season as the White Sox No. 5 prospect, according to Baseball America. the second baseman was leading the Southern League with a .329 batting average at the time of his promotion. He has hit in seven straight. … With a 30-day limit for Major League pitchers on rehab assignment, Saturday could be the last time to see Felipe Paulino in Charlotte. He began his stint with the Knights on May 3. ... On Wednesday night, Charlotte welcomed its 200,000 fan to BB&T BallPark – as of Wednesday morning, the Knights ranked first in average attendance per game (9,553) in all of the Minor Leagues. … Entering Thursday, the Indians lead the International League’s West division with a record of 26-19. … Indianapolis OF Gregory Polanco leads the IL in batting average, RBI, hits, and on-base percentage, slugging percentage, extra-base hits, triples, and total bases. He also ranks second in runs scored and doubles. Prior to the season, Baseball America ranked the 22-year-old as the No. 10 prospect in the game. 

Links: 

• Here's a feature on Carlos Sanchez that ran on the front page of the Observer's sports section on Thursday.
• An update on Polanco -- Coming soon to a MLB ballpark near you -- from Pittsburg's local CBS affiliate