WHIV 2045.8- Moving Parts (Pre-Sim #4)

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WHIV 2045.8- Moving Parts (Pre-Sim #4)
NOTE: This was written between Sim #3 and Sim #4, obviously a lot more has happened in Las Vegas since...

Catcher Position Unstable
Reggie Leeper had a breakout season last year and the Hustlers were hoping for a repeat. This has not been the case. He's been struggling behind the plate and looks completely lost at it (.136 avg, 1 walk to 21 strikeouts). It was a minor surprise that the club kept Toshikazu Noguchi to open the season, but he's shown that to be the right call with his early (though small sample) success. Most thought that Geoff Combs was a shoo-in to platoon with Leeper, however with Noguchi out of options the Hustlers chose instead to send Combs to Milwaukee (AAA). To his credit, he went down and played well (.300/.368/.440) and has now earned his way back. Leeper swaps places with Combs, and Combs will now start most games with Noguchi spelling him.

Revolving Door at First Base
First base has been an issue as well. Las Vegas traded Otto Altaner to Louisville to clear up a logjam, and Gianni Francolini got the nod to start the year. He started slow, was waived and has since cleared waivers and went back to Milwaukee. Next up was Carlos Fernandez, moved from second base. After a hot start he's since cooled down. Next the Hustlers will go with the veterans. Jimmy Starks, Jr. will now play everyday, splitting his time between first base (vs RHP) and left field (vs LHP). Raul Alilea remains the short platoon partner.

There are three more roster spots that have been in flux this season.

"27th Man"
Las Vegas will alternate this spot between a pitcher and a position player as the schedule dictates need. So Freddy Rijo opened the year here, then was replaced by pitcher Antonio Gonzalez, then waiver claim outfielder Ruben Rodriguez. It looks like Rijo may return for the fourth week of the young season, as he's been tearing up the Rupert Horn Memorial League.

"Utility Reliever"
Horst Duineveld opened the year not only on the Hustlers roster, but as the closer. After a disastrous first sim, he was sent back to Milwaukee for more seasoning. Up came Wayne Dorsey for Sim #2, then waiver claim Jimmy Cook for Sim #3, and now it appears Dorsey will return for Sim #4.

"Fifth Starter/Long Reliever"
This has been Gerald Abbott's job throughout the young season, but now the Hustlers will give waiver claim Enrico Rivera his shot for Sim #4.

Another Move?
There are rumors that the Hustlers may want to bring Ivan Ruiz up to the bigs to work out of the bullpen. If that comes to pass, it's likely Rodriguez would be waived with the hopes he'd make it to Milwaukee.