Fort Wayne Wizards

Fort Wayne News- Sentinel
Wizards' Pictures taken by Emily Smith

News and Notes:

-Monday, August 1: Fabian Jimenez was demoted to Eugene after struggling all season with Fort Wayne. Brett Dowdy, Matt Thayer and Chris Kolkhorst were promoted to Lake Elsinore. As a result, Fort Wayne added Brian Cavanaugh, Kelvin Vazquez and Drew Davidson from Eugene. Meanwhile, MWL managaers voted Matt Varner as the MWL's best reliever and Matt Bush has having the best infield arm as part of BA's Best Tools Survey.

-Monday, July 18th:

To accomadate Mike Baxter on the roster, Aussie INF Lachlan Dale was given his release from the Padres.

-Thursday, July 14th:

Brian Fryer was released.

-Sunday, July 3rd:

Matt Thayer was added to the active roster after rehabbing in Peoria. More roster moves are expected in the coming days to shake up the struggling Wizards' roster.

-Friday, July 1st:

Ruben Mora was released.

-Friday, June 17th: Brett Dowdy, currently hitting .280 with 39Rs and 34RBIs with 7 doubles, a team-high 8 triples, and 2HRs, was placed on the DL with a fractured. Ryan Klatt, who has been on the DL, since last June was activated from the DL. Heading into this season, Klatt is 6-3 for his two-year career with 15 saves after being drafted in the 38th round in the 2003 draft. In 58 2/3 innings, he has posted a 2.45 ERA, allowed 43 hits and nine walks, while striking out 86. Additionally, Luke Steidlmayer was added to the All-Star squad after Rafael Rodriguez was promoted.

-Tuesday, June 7th: Catcher Colt Morton was named to the starting line-up for the Eastern Division squad for the Midwest League All-Star game. He is the first Wizard position player to be granted that honor since Kennard Jones started in 2003. Left fielder Chris Kolkhorst and shortstop Matt Bush were selected as reserves and right-handed starters Michael Ekstrom and Clayton Hamilton, along with closer Matt Varner were picked for the pitching staff.

-Thursday, June 2nd: The Padres have signed Chris Steinborn and assigned him to Fort Wayne. To make room on the roster for him, Phil Polanco, a teammate of Leo Rosales at Cal State Northridge, was sent back to extended ST.

-13th: The Wizards have added Brian Fryer from the Lake Elsinore Storm and have sent Craig Johnson to extended Spring Training.

-10th:

The Wizards made several moves on Tuesday. They promoted Clark Girardeau to Lake Elsinore, and placed Henrey Perez on the DL. To replace them, the Wizards added Phil Polanco and Geivy Garcia from extended Spring Training.

-9th: The Wizards made their first moves of the season, 7 weeks into it. After using a record 54 players last season, their roster has been sound to start the season. Today, they promoted Ryan Trytten to Lake Elsinore and added Kyle Stutes, a 2004 draft pick, from Extended Spring Training.