WHIV 2043.4- September Callups

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WHIV 2043.4- September Callups
Tuesday, September 1, 2043

Roster Expansion is here and the Las Vegas Hustlers have made a flurry of roster moves. Quick analysis on each:
Transferred RP Elias Gregory to the 60-day IL.
Gregory will be coming back from a torn labrum and should be healthy, barring setbacks, by Spring Training. He figures to be a part of the Hustlers bullpen in 2044 and beyond.

Purchased the contract of RP Juan Castro from Triple A Milwaukee.
Castro, 22 years old, is a lefty who is built to face both handedness as a reliever. Had an impressive season for Milwaukee (AAA) and will get a chance to contribute this September.

RP Dean Rackham was designated for assignment and placed on waivers.
Las Vegas couldn't deal with his inconsistency any further, especially as he's going to be arbitration eligible this offseason. The move gives him a chance to latch on with another club sooner.

Purchased the contract of C Zach Reid from Triple A Milwaukee.
Reid comes back up to the bigs after a month with Milwaukee. Management loves left-handed hitting catchers, so Reid will continue to get an opportunity to prove he belongs.

2B Bernardo Boullosa was designated for assignment and placed on waivers.
Doesn't hit enough to make up for his lack of position defensively, and the Hustlers don't want to keep rostering a guy who has no future with the organization so they moved on.

2B Fernando Martínez was designated for assignment and placed on waivers.
This may be the most controversial as the Hustlers waived the versatile 24 year old utility man, but he hasn't hit much at all and his complete lack of speed makes him difficult to roster.

SS Augusto Lerma was designated for assignment and placed on waivers.
Nothing to see here. Lerma was just a stopgap.

Purchased the contract of SS Rodrigo Ríos from Triple A Milwaukee.
One more chance, Rodrigo, and that's it.

CF Hakon van Hulst was designated for assignment and placed on waivers.


Purchased the contract of RF Pepe Rocha from Triple A Milwaukee.
In a lefty heavy outfield, Rocha will get another chance to prove he's worth bringing back.

Purchased the contract of RF Mimum Zikomo from Triple A Milwaukee.
After a nice rookie year for the Hustlers in 2041, he struggled badly in 2042 and spent this season split between Milwaukee and Reno (AA). He didn't pout, and hit on both clubs. He deserved this callup and a chance to revive his career.

Placed 3B Larry Blake on the 40-man roster.
Purchased the contract of 3B Larry Blake from Triple A Milwaukee.
Blake will get some playing time in hopes of getting an invitation back for 2044.

Placed RF Javier Salazar on the 40-man roster.
Purchased the contract of RF Javier Salazar from Triple A Milwaukee.
It'll be tough for Salazar to get at-bats, but his presence in the locker room should help the Hustlers regardless of whether he plays or not.

Placed SS Stewart Turton on the 40-man roster.
Purchased the contract of SS Stewart Turton from Double A Reno.
Turton is the only "true" prospect of all the callups. The club wrestled with the decision but ultimately felt Turton deserved the call-up on the back of his awesome season with Reno (.266/.373/.467, 132 G, 478 AB, 127 H, 30 doubles, 3 triples, 20 HR, 105 RBI, 83 R, 80 BB, 1010 K, +3.2 ZR at shortstop).

Purchased the contract of SS Reynante Alvero from Triple A Milwaukee.
Let's be real, the guy batted .101 in 89 at-bats for the Hustlers this year. But he has a unique combination of an amazing glove and blazing speed that can't be ignored. If he could just hit a little, he's a player.

Placed DH Sixto "Ball o' Fat" Cisneros on the 40-man roster.
Purchased the contract of DH Sixto Cisneros from Triple A Milwaukee.
Like Rocha, he's a right-handed batter and therefore there's some opportunity. Cisneros has some pop and the Hustlers wanted to take a quick look to decide on his future.

Placed RF Adam Neal on the 40-man roster.
Purchased the contract of RF Adam Neal from Triple A Milwaukee.
When drafted in 2039, Neal was thought of as a possible two-way player. The pitching part of his career is now over, so it's time for the Hustlers to take a look and see if he's truly a reserve outfield option. His right-handed bat, like Rocha, is something the Hustlers are looking for.