Ch-ch-ch-changes

The revolving door on the Wild Things' clubhouse has been in full swing the last two days.

As manager Chris Bando said over the weekend, he's a patient man, but not that patient. He saw enough of the Wild Things' struggling offense (league-low .191 team batting average) during the six-game homestand and made several roster moves leading up to tonight's series opener at Windy City.

Gone is catcher Chris Anderson, who was off to an 0-for-13 start, and veteran outfielder Luis Rivera, who was batting .227. Rivera's average is fourth-best on the team. Third baseman/catcher Davis Page (1-for-5) was traded back to San Angelo of the North American League to complete an earlier trade. Page apparently was traded for himself. Washington acquired him five days ago from San Angelo.

Re-signed was catcher David Peters, who joined Washington in the offseason from the Florida Marlins system and then was dealt to the Pecos League before spring training. Peters has played in two games in the Pecos.

Also signed was outfielder Jeriel Waller, who was drafted in the 47th round last year by the Marlins. I can found no evidence that Waller played in any games in the Marlins' system after being drafted out of Grossmont College, a JC in California. On Waller's Facebook page, it says he attended San Diego Christian College.

Waller is the son of Reggie Waller, a former San Diego Padres scoring director, and nephew of Tye Waller, the Oakland A's first-base coach.

Left-handed relief pitcher Shawn Smith was put on the suspended list, apparently to make room for Steve Grife, who can be activated from the same list Friday. Washington also could activate pitcher Gary Lee, who has been serving as the bullpen coach.

Washington still has one open roster spot (assuming Grife or Lee fill one) and has room for an Experienced player.

The biggest surprise for the Wild Things this season is the trouble at the catcher position, especially when you consider Bando is a former major-league catcher. Washington has played four different catchers in nine games, and has had eight catchers on the roster since the start of spring training.

UPDATE: Shawn Smith was placed on the 7-day injured list and Gary Lee was activated for tonight's game.

Roster update

Washington's roster continues to change. Here's an update:

Released were sidearming relief pitcher Mickey Cassidy and outfielder James Simmons. Outfielder Mike Miller was traded to Roswell Invaders of the Pecos League. Simmons' release must have come in the last few minutes because he was a participant in batting practice.

Signed were third baseman/catcher Davis Page and outfielder Robbie Garvey. Page was signed Thursday and scored the game-winning run against Gateway. He was acquired from San Angelo of the North American League, where his manager was Doc Edwards. Washington manager Chris Bando played for Edwards when the latter was manager of the Cleveland Indians.

Garvey played two years in the Milwaukee Brewers system after signing as a nondrafted free agent. A native of Las Vegas, Garvey is in the starting lineup tonight in center field.

Outfielder Allen Boyer remains sidelined with a sore shoulder.

Relief pitcher Steve Grife, who is on the supended list, threw a bullpen session before tonight's game. He is eligible to be activated June 1. Grife was on the suspended list because he was an assistant coach at Mercyhurst College and not available for spring training.