Wavered between the row of ketchup bottles or forlorn Spike due to the unusually large number of releases and retirements announced today by the Hagerstown Suns. But with updates expected (e.g. Ian Krol in DC?), let’s go with the Heinz and start with the releases, beginning with a couple that were announced in the most recent transactions post by Baseball America.
RELEASED
• LHP Ben Hawkins (Potomac)
• RHP Dean Weaver
• RHP Chris McKenzie
• OF J.R. Higley
RETIRED
• RHP Jason Smith
ACTIVATED
• LHP Brett Mooneyham (DL)
• RHP Pedro Encarnacio (TIL)
• IF Matt Foat (XST)
What’s probably the most surprising thing about this is the swiftness and openness with which this was announced. Ordinarily, players are shuffled off to Viera, then quietly released a few days or weeks later. Occasionally, the news will break via Twitter in the form of gracious goodbye.
I’d like to think that perhaps this is new way of doing things, but I’d have to see it done more consistently to believe it. In any case, the usual reminder to please remember that friends & family (and agents) are watching and to keep the comments civil.
UPDATE #1
As you may have guessed, this was written while the [dust]storm was swirling. Here’s what’s now been confirmed by multiple online sources as it pertains to the minors:
• 2B/3B Anthony Rendon has been recalled to Washington
• LHP Ian Krol has been recalled to Washington
To make room for these two, LHP Zach Duke has been released and RHP Henry Rodriguez has been designated for assignment. Corresponding moves to the Syracuse and Harrisburg rosters have not yet been announced (hence the enumeration of the update).