May 6, 2036
Las Vegas went into the 2036 season with a starting pitching depth chart that was thinner than in their recent history. Immediately that depth was tested when their #3 starter, Chin Kim , went down in Spring Training with a torn meniscus in his knee that expects to see him on the shelf until August in all likelihood. Then, in his first start of the season, offseason FA signee Gerardo Fajardo went out for the season with a partially torn UCL.
The Hustlers did some mix and matching with lefty relievers a couple weeks ago seeing both Alphonse Salvarani and Wayne Jackson get starts, which was successful.
Following that sim, the Hustlers made a trade with Omaha, getting lefty Wayne Muirhead in exchange for SP Hirotada Miura and RHP Maximo Trevino . The deal was meant to give the Hustlers a quality lefty to team with Salvarani in their pen. However, the Hustlers identified another opportunity to give a lefty reliever spot starts, and did so with Muirhead to disastrous results.
Why, you might ask, would a team with starting pitching depth issues trade away a proven starter like Miura? The Hustlers saw their 2033 #1 pick, Alvin Chartrand , dominating AAA (7 GS, 5-1, 2.52 ERA, 1.10 WHIP) and expected him to join the rotation or at least the bullpen at some point this season. Those hopes were dashed when he tore his flexor tendon in his elbow, and now the Hustlers lost yet another quality arm for the season.
So what now? The Hustlers have just three of their initial starting pitchers left in Hyun-sik Chang , Hao Kun and Jesus Lopez remaining. Veteran Floyd Carter will step into the rotation- this is exactly why the Hustlers have brought him back, and he has fared markedly better as a starter than as a reliever this season. Vegas will have to mix and match as a fifth starter is needed, with Salvarani being one option. The Hustlers could also consider promoting rookie Manuel Orozco to the rotation, but he's been so good out of the pen they may hesitate to do so. There has also been some talk about using reliever Augute Balun as a spot starter, which would then allow the club to utilize his bat as a two-way player.
The cupboard is bare in the minor leagues right now as far as legitimate starting pitcher options, so Hustlers faithful are clearly expecting GM Matt Rectenwald to do what he always does- go trade for a starting pitcher. But who's dealing one right now? Time will tell.
