WHIV 2002 Vol. 4- Salott out for 2 months, scramble ensues

[recte44]

As feared, the injury to closer Jonathan "Tank" Salott was a long term one. Salott was diagnosed with a strained forearm. Team trainer Trevor Singleton expects his recovery to take about 2 months.

Unlike past years where veterans such as Santiago Colon, Marty Powers, and Richard Reemer were available for situations when a closer was needed, the current Hustlers went with a young and inexperienced bullpen.

Though Ernest Nilson had been getting a lot of save chances recently, it appears that Elroy Futon will play matchups and go with a tandem of Francis Linares and veteran lefty Pedro Martinez.

"There's not a lot of available relievers the quality we're looking for right now," said GM Matt Rectenwald. "We'll continue to explore options, as well as looking at a starter and maybe moving someone like David Crocker to the closer's role for a while. It would certainly help to keep his innings in line."

Crocker pitched a career high 149.1 innings between AAA Milwaukee and Las Vegas last year, and generally it is thought an increase of 25-30 innings is about the maximum to avoid overtaxing a valuable young arm. That would allow Crocker to pitch about 175 innings this year, which means his presence in the rotation will not be for the whole season.

"I'm here to do whatever Elroy asks me to do," said Crocker. "I'll start, I'll relieve, I'll wash the towels if need be. Just happy to be on the World Champs."

[recte44]

Martin Brown will find his way to the rotation quickly if he keeps pitching like this. The longball is the main concern with the 28 year old Brown.

[Al-Hoot]

Santiago Colon says he wouldn't mind re-joining the Hustlers.

[recte44]

Not with that ridiculous contract. Yuck.

[Al-Hoot]

well he was the only 4-star closer available, and we were the only team in our division without one...

but its another learning thing. the more mistakes I make the better I'll be, long term... I hope. Course my team may never get better.