Alumni report

Chris Rivera, pictured, who spent parts of two seasons (2007, 2008) with the Wild Things, received a promotion Sunday in the Washington Nationals' system. Rivera was promoted from extended spring training to the Potomac Nationals, a team in the high-Class A Carolina League. Rivera pitched one perfect inning for Potomac against the Lynchburg Hillcats, a Pirates affiliate.

Here's one pitching matchup that might be of interest to Wild Things fans: the scheduled starters for tonight's Class AA Eastern League game between the Erie Seawolves (Detroit) and Altoona Curve (Pittsburgh) are former Wild Thing Patrick Stanley and Brad Lincoln, the Pirates' first-round draft pick in 2006.

UPDATE: Altoona scored two runs in the top of the 10th and held on to beat Erie, 5-4. Stanley pitched 6.1 innings, allowing five hits, one walk and three runs. He struck out five. Lincoln pitched five innings, giving up five hits, two walks and two runs. He struck out seven.

From one Washington to another

Former Wild Things pitcher Chris Rivera, who was recently released, will get one more shot in affiliated ball. Rivera has signed with the Washington Nationals.

Rivera pitched in two games for the Wild Things in 2007 before having his contract purchased by the Chicago Cubs. After spending the remainder of the season in rookie ball, Rivera was released last spring and returned to the Wild Things. He appeared in 16 games (five starts) but struggled with control, walking 27 in 41 innings. Rivera had a 2-3 record when dropped from the active roster in August.

3 arrive, 5 gone

The Wild Things have made their first significant roster moves of the year, acquiring two players, reinstating one from the retired list and releasing five from last year's 48-48 team.

Washington reinstated infielder Jeff Beachum from the retired list, signed right-handed pitcher Jace Smith and acquired right-handed pitcher Justin Edwards from Worcester of the Can-Am League to complete a trade for pitcher Ryan Mitchell prior to last season. Released were pitchers Chris Rivera and Sam Mann, catcher Gerad Haran, second baseman Phil Butch and outfielder Rob Vernon.

The only real surprise was Butch being released, though you can argue that Rivera and Haran have potential.

Beachum began last year as the starting shortstop but a back injury limited him to 16 games (.294, 8 RBI). If Washington brings back Bret Grandstrand as expected, Beachum will likely move over to third base or second base.

Edwards, pictured, is a West Liberty State product who was used as both a pitcher and third baseman by Worcester. Edwards batted only .173 in 52 at-bats and was 1-0 with a 4.37 in 16 games (2 starts) as a pitcher. Edwards is a Wheeling central graduate, the all-time hits leader at West Liberty and the son of Wheeling Jesuit baseball coach Terry Edwards.

The Wild Things did not annouce the signing of Smith, though it is posted on the Frontier League's Web site. More details about Smith when I find them.