Today, the Nationals announced several moves regarding the players in the major league Spring Training camp. They optioned 1B Larry Broadway to AAA New Orleans of the Pacific Coast League and LHP Michael Hinckley to A Potomac of the Carolina League. They also reassigned RHPs Andrew Good and Francis Beltran, LHPs Mike Bacsik, Micah Bowie, and Jim Crowell, CA Erick San Pedro, INFs Josh Labandeira and Kory Casto, OFs Frank Diaz, Ruben Mateo and Cristian Guerrero to Minor League camp.
What does this mean? The Nationals are paring down their available players for the Major League Spring Training games. The thirteen players named above will begin practicing with the Nationals minor leaguers (listed here). Of the names listed, none of them were expected to crack the 25-man roster.
Why did they option Broadway and Hinckley while Diaz and Casto are assigned? Aren’t all four on the 40-man roster? Yes. All four are currently on the Nats 40-man roster. The reason for option versus assignment has to do with service time. In simplest terms, a player has three years after he is added to the 40-man roster in which he can be sent to the minors without being removed from the roster, these are option years. An option is used every year such a player is sent down unless the player remains in the minors for less than 10 days in each stint. Both Broadway and Hinckley have started their option years (they were added to the Nats 40-man in fall of 2004). Diaz and Casto were assigned because their option clocks do not start until the 2006 season begins. For more mind-numbing transactional terms, see this very thorough glossary.
Changes have been made to the Big Board.
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