Four members of the Cedar Rapids Kernels have been promoted to the Fort Myers Miracle in the Florida State League, Kernels General Manager Doug Nelson confirmed Tuesday afternoon.

First baseman Dalton Hicks, outfielder J.D. Williams, relief pitcher Tyler Jones and relief pitcher Steve Gruver were notified of their promotions Monday night and left Tuesday moring.

Catcher Jairo Rodriguez, pitcher Dallas Gallant and pitcher Tim Shibuya will be joining the Kernels. They are flying into Cleveland and plan to be in uniform when the Kernels play at Lake County (Ohio) Wednesday night.

The news about the transactions was first reported Tuesday by The Gazette on its website.

Hicks, Williams, Jones and Gruver have been important members of the team this season. The Kernels have a 56-36 record and clinched a playoff spot in the Midwest League by finishing in second place in the first half of the season.

"I'm excited for them," said Nelson. "It means to a certain extent that we're doing our jobs."

Hicks leads the Midwest League with 82 RBIs and is hitting .297 with 13 home runs. Williams is hitting .281 with eight homers.

Jones has a 4-3 record, 1.93 ERA and nine saves. He became the closer for the Kernels the past few weeks. Gruver has a 5-2 record, 2.45 ERA and three saves.

Rodriguez began the season with the Kernels before being promoted to Fort Myers.

Gallant has been on the Kernels' disabled list and is being reinstated. Shibuya has been pitching in Elizbethton in the Rookie Appalachian League.