Leon Recalled To Replace Ramos (Again)
After Sandy Leon was a no-show for the Mayflies Senators media day yesterday, it was no mystery as to which catcher on the Washington 40-man roster would get the call today. This afternoon, the Nationals officially placed C Wilson Ramos on the 15-Day DL and recalled Sandy Leon from Harrisburg.
In a related story, veteran minor-league catcher Brandon Bantz was signed to a minor-league deal today as well. Bantz spent 2013 with the Mariners organization, splitting time between AA Jackson and AAA Tacoma, with a one-game sojourn to Seattle last June 8th, which was his MLB debut. Combined, Bantz hit .219/.282/.307 in 59 minor-league games, but was released at the end of spring training this year.
Rotoworld.com is reporting that Bantz has been assigned to Syracuse, which is in line with previous catcher shuffles. If this turns out to be the case, journeyman Jeff Howell will be reassigned from the Chiefs to the Senators to take Leon’s place on the Harrisburg roster.
As always, if/when the corresponding moves are announced, this space will be updated.
You almost have to wonder why someone like Howell hangs on. I guess that he might hope for a hot spell which coordinates with a series of injuries, but it seems that he is not even on the radar if the Nats bring in someone like Bantz.
I am not trying to be mean. As a matter of fact, because I even said it, I hope that Jeff Howell does exactly what he needs to make it to the majors, and proves my comment an ignorant one. Still, though, my only guess is that this points to the strength of the dream, and the fact that it really has happened that people toil to get so close, and then had their faith rewarded.
Thanks for sticking with us, Jeff. May you at least get the short call-up Bantz got, and then use that to prove you deserve a longer stint in the bigs.
I just hope it’s because he’s one of the AAA guys who got a small payday when he exhausted his six-year slavery.
What would be more interesting would be to learn who the ‘official’ starting catcher for the ‘Mayflies’ will be? Will it be Mitch Canham former 1st rounder who Ted Leavengood wonders about?
I guess this means Solano has officially taken over the Maldonado position in the system.
He toiled 9 years in the minors, put on a big league uniform for 29 games.
Is the “Big Board” going to be updated any time soon? It’s times like this that I’ve come to rely on it.
Try it now – I changed the link to go to the 2014 Rosters tab; was still set to 2013.
I do update it year-round. If ever you feel like it looks completely wrong, do take a look at the tabs at the bottom of the page and make sure that you’re on the right one. (Or if you feel like taking a trip back in time to 2010, that’s still an option too….)
Thanks! You have no idea how much fun I’ve had being the dream farm director for the Nats using the Big Board over the years. I really appreciate your work. Thank you!