WHIV 2049.5- Getting Down To 27!

[recte44]

Wednesday, March 31st , 2049

First, the expected transactions: Placed SP Martin Ross on the active roster.
Activated SP Martin Ross from the injured list.
Placed 2B Stewart Turton on the active roster.
Activated 2B Stewart Turton from the injured list.
Activated CF Joshua Zorn from the 60-day injured list.
Placed CF Joshua Zorn on the 40-man roster.
Placed CF Joshua Zorn on the active roster.
Optioned CF Joshua Zorn to Triple A Milwaukee.

Ross and Turton missed the bulk of Spring Training with minor injuries, but will resume their key spots in the Hustlers cog. Ross will slot #5 in the rotation to start, and Turton will, of course, be the second baseman. Zorn was injured all offseason- he was signed with the injury and added to the 40-man roster. He's now back on the 40 man and will likely be assigned to Class AA Reno.

The other optioned players:
Optioned RP Mike Jayne to Triple A Milwaukee.
Optioned RP Bob Woodger to Triple A Milwaukee.
Optioned LF Vaughn Thomas to Triple A Milwaukee.
Optioned 2B Stepan Shabrov to Triple A Milwaukee.

Having option years can work against you as a player. Indeed, that was the case for these four, especially Jayne who has been in this situation since the beginning of last year. Along with Woodger, they'll likely shuttle up and down from AAA. Either one of them could, theoretically, still make the Opening Day roster as the Hustlers are ever so slightly over the cap right now (we think). Thomas is a highly regarded lefty bat, with no real role for him at this time the club would like to see him playing daily in Milwaukee. Shabrov, claimed off waivers, was in contention for the 27th spot on the roster but didn't show a lot and will head to AAA.

Non-Roster Invitees that were returned to Minor League Camp for assignment:
Assigned SP John Rasmussen III from Spring Training camp to Triple A Milwaukee.
Assigned SP Yasir bin Lutfi from Spring Training camp to Triple A Milwaukee.
Assigned C Ramón Camacho from Spring Training camp to Triple A Milwaukee.
Assigned 1B Mitchell Cashmore from Spring Training camp to Triple A Milwaukee.
Assigned 2B Roderick Rodda from Spring Training camp to Triple A Milwaukee.
Assigned 2B Raúl Alilea from Spring Training camp to Triple A Milwaukee.
Assigned RF Miguel Rodríguez from Spring Training camp to Triple A Milwaukee.

Cashmore, Rodda, and Rodriguez were fully expected to return to the minors after getting some big league exposure, and that indeed was the case. Alilea, given his history with the franchise, had an outside chance of making it but batted .110. The most interesting NRI in camp, of course, was Rasmussen III. After some inconsistent starts, the young righty had four solid relief appearances and will most certainly be one of the first pitchers up this year.

Waived/DFA:
3B Chuk-yan Lian was designated for assignment and placed on waivers.

Lian, a clubhouse leader but not a versatile defender, will likely clear waivers and rejoin Milwaukee.

Rule 5 Pick Returned:
Released former Rule 5 draft pick RP Bryan Longstaff, returned to original Organization Yellow Springs Nine.

While YS9 pundits wondered aloud why in the world the Hustlers would even consider carrying an under-developed 25 year old reliever, Hustlers officials were completely serious about giving Longstaff a real shot. Of his last nine appearances, he was not scored on in six.

Added to the 27 and 40 man BBA Rosters:
Placed SS Robert Franklin on the 40-man roster.
Placed C Gary Bryant on the 40-man roster.

Franklin has been here before. He was the 27th man/utility guy in 2046, but signed with Brooklyn for 2047 and stayed there until 2048. With regular playing time he failed to crack the Mendoza line in either season. Playing every day is not the role for him- he's a fast guy who plays good defense and can hit just a smidge against lefties. Meanwhile, Bryant beat out numerous contenders for the backup catcher job. Coaches and pitchers alike have raved about his leadership, which given his career -2.5 WAR, better be good in order to hang onto the job.