Like most Saturdays, it’s been busy (and I still haven’t mowed the lawn). The regular ride in the Gatineau Park was followed by Zak’s Little League Picture Day out at the Sportsplex, then a two hour practice at the Eagles Nest. I was surprised (pleasantly) to run into the dynamic duo that is “Bryan and Ryan” from the Lynx while we were out at the Sportsplex. Apparently, Skratch and Trash Monster were out at another baseball function in Orleans, but it didn’t matter - a more approachable, at ease pair of guys you won’t find anywhere.

As promised, some of the roster changes from March 31 to present.

Here’s how things looked on March 31, 2007:

CATCHERS:

Jason Jaramillo - still in Ottawa.

Dusty Wathan - still in Ottawa, but was sent to Reading temporarily before rejoining the Lynx last month.

INFIELDERS:

Brent Abernathy - traded to the Washington Nationals around April 9.

Gary Burnham - still playing here, but for how much longer?

Brennan King - still patrolling 3B.

Carlos Leon - still in Ottawa.

Danny Sandoval - still in Ottawa.

OUTFIELDERS:

Ron Calloway - still with the Lynx.

Lou Collier - still with the Lynx.

Chris Roberson - thankfully, still in Ottawa. Flyballs have no chance with Chris.

Jim Rushford - still local.

Pedro Swann - sent to AA Reading.

PITCHERS:

Joe Bisenius - still in Ottawa.

Eude Brito - local, but on the DL.

Fabio Castro - called up by Philadelphia.

Matt Childers - solid starter, still here.

Jim Crowell - released, now playing for Syracuse.

Kane Davis - in Ottawa.

John Ennis - playing for the Lynx, currently on the DL.

J.A. Happ - solid LHP, still in Ottawa.

Yoel Hernandez - called up by Philadelphia.

Brian Mazone - release granted, playing in Korea. This one hurts.

Justin Miller - released.

Brian Sanches - solid closer, still local.

NOW:

CATCHERS:

Chris Coste - sent down by Philadelphia. Solid, versatile (1B, catcher, 3B) player.

INFIELDERS:

Joe Thurston - as close to certain as you can get; every ground ball is a “routine” out with Joe.

OUTFIELDERS:

Since Pedro was sent down, there have been no other changes.

PITCHERS:

Zach Segovia - reliable SP, a little snake-bit on the run support.

J.D. Durbin - recent acquisition, assigned to Ottawa on May 4.

Rick Bauer - sent down from Philly on April 23.

Matt Smith - optioned to Ottawa by the Phillies on April 26.

Ryan Cameron - called up to Ottawa from Reading on May 6. I profiled Ryan back in March.

Heath Totten - called up from Reading.

Jason Anderson - sent down by Philadelphia a couple of days ago.

A pair of tickets to any game to the first person who can identify the mystery Philadelphia employee in the Lynx dugout last week. Hopefully he wasn’t scouting Brian Mazone – the news that Neate Sager broke yesterday, has now been confirmed: Brian’s going to try his luck in Korea (presumably, South Korea). It probably shouldn’t come as a complete surprise though; last year he was apparently talked out of jumping to the Korean peninsula by none other than Chris Coste. Perhaps the advice was different this spring…

Nice win in Louisville yesterday afternoon, including Danny Sandoval hitting one out – we’re on a home run hitting tear! If they can win today, they’ll have taken 3 of 4 from Louisville and will be well positioned to take their shot at division leader Buffalo. And there’s a strange bit of timing – both Ottawa teams will be in Buffalo this weekend. The Sens finished the regular season in third place behind Buffalo – exactly where the Lynx currently sit relative to the Bisons. Cue the “Twilight Zone” theme….

*** UPDATE ***

Stop with the email. Ottawa’s in Indy this weekend, followed by Buffalo here in Ottawa starting on Tuesday. Secondly, the “mystery man” has been identified. Just gotta confirm I can reveal his ID before I post it.

*** UPDATE II ***

The mystery man is none other than minor league catching coordinator Mike Compton.

Mike Compton during his playing days

Hat tip (and two tickets): “Educated” Lynx fan.

*** UPDATE III ***

A little more about the Korea deal and Brian’s replacement, Jason Anderson.

We’re into the home stretch here - the last bunch of profiles are on the men listed as outfielders on the Lynx roster. Batter up: Mike Spidale. Mike is one of those players of whom precious little ink or pixels has been spent - translation: I didn’t find much.

From scout.com:

Teams can sometimes hide an extra outfielder on their roster and Spidale could conceivably hold down that role. Spidale stole 29 bases at Low-A Lakewood in 2006 and was caught stealing just four times. Spidale spent some time Double-A when he was in the White Sox organization but hasn’t been back in his short stint with the Phillies. This is a guy who generally has the word “sparkplug” connected to his name when scouts talk about his style of play. Spidale never seems to get much credit, but always finishes the season with good stats and always does the fundamental things very well. He steals bases, fields his position very well, and has above average plate discipline, helping him to post a .418 OBP in 2006.

Mike split last season between Kansas City of the Northern (Independent) League and Lakewood (in the South Atlantic League). Based on his brief amount of experience above AA, I don’t think we’ll see Mike here to start the season.

We’re into the home stretch here - the last bunch of profiles are on the men listed as outfielders on the Lynx roster. Batter up: Mike Spidale. Mike is one of those players of whom precious little ink or pixels has been spent - translation: I didn’t find much.

From scout.com:

Teams can sometimes hide an extra outfielder on their roster and Spidale could conceivably hold down that role. Spidale stole 29 bases at Low-A Lakewood in 2006 and was caught stealing just four times. Spidale spent some time Double-A when he was in the White Sox organization but hasn’t been back in his short stint with the Phillies. This is a guy who generally has the word “sparkplug” connected to his name when scouts talk about his style of play. Spidale never seems to get much credit, but always finishes the season with good stats and always does the fundamental things very well. He steals bases, fields his position very well, and has above average plate discipline, helping him to post a .418 OBP in 2006.

Mike split last season between Kansas City of the Northern (Independent) League and Lakewood (in the South Atlantic League). Based on his brief amount of experience above AA, I don’t think we’ll see Mike here to start the season.