Cutdown day

On roster cutdown days in the NFL, teams use someone from their personnel department to go into the locker room and ask players to report to the head coach or general manager. This messenger is called the "Turk."

Well, the "Turk" arrived at Consol Energy Park Monday and there were a few surprised people.

As expected, the Wild Things placed pitcher Justin Edwards on the disabled list while he works his way back from offseason shoulder surgery. Let go were pitcher Blake Hennington and outfielders Joel Hartman and Jeremy Richter. Catcher Greyson Schram was put on the suspended list, which means former California University catcher Stephen Hermann had his chances of making the roster for opening day greatly increase.

The biggest surprise was that pitcher Zach Groh, pictured, was released. Groh had spent three seasons in Washington, and had good results in a five-inning outing during a spring training game Friday against Lake Erie. Groh said afterward that it was only the second time during camp that he had faced hitters.

Groh's release was even more surprising when you consider Washington is two under the limit for players classified as "Experienced" by the Frontier League's roster rules. Only three of the Wild Things' pitchers are classified as "Experienced."

Monday's moves leave Washington with 27 active players. They must get down to 24 before Thursday's season opener. However, being two under the "Experienced" limit makes me think there will be a new player or two arriving before the team leaves Wednesday for Joliet, Ill.

One more signed

According to the Frontier League website, the Wild Things have signed outfielder Jeremy Richter.

Haven't heard anything official about this guy, but I suspect it's the Jeremy Richter who played for Wisconsin-Stevens Point, an NCAA Division III school. This would make sense because Wild Things manager Darin Everson is from Wisconsin.

Richter played primarily first base at Wisconsin-Stevens Point, where he was named the 2009 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Player of the Year when he batted .333 with 17 doubles, three triples and nine home runs in 47 games. His senior season was 2010.

The Wild Things will add at least two more players Tuesday at the league's annual tryout and player draft. With only two catchers on the roster, I suspect one might be a catcher. Washington traded its first-round draft pick during the offseason to River City for Josh Banda.

Now, time for a little trivia: Can you name the former NBA all-star player and head coach who played at Wisconsin-Stevens Point?