May 13, 2015 2 min read

The Wild Things made a flurry of roster moves Wednesday in preparation for their season opener Friday night against the two-time defending Frontier League champion Schaumburg Boomers at Consol Energy Park.

Washington released three pitchers, traded one pitcher and placed two players on the disabled list. The Wild Things also re-signed a popular player who will be in his third season with the team.

Signed Wednesday was outfielder C.J. Beatty, who recently asked for his release from the Chicago White Sox organization. Beatty led Washington last year in home runs (18) and RBI (57) before being signed late in the season by the White Sox and assigned to Class A Winston-Salem. Beatty also played the Wild Things in 2013 and was the team-leader in batting average (.305), home runs (18) and RBI (86).

Released were pitchers Rich Carlson, Jon Bengard and Ernesto Zaragoza. Carlson was signed in April after being released from the Los Angeles Angels organization. Carlson saved 24 games over the last two years in the Angels’ system and was considered to have the inside track on the closer’s job when the Wild Things began spring training.

Bengard was signed in April after being released by the Chicago White Sox. Zaragoza was one of Washington’s draft picks at last month’s league tryout.

The Wild Things traded left-handed pitcher Kevin Brandt to Laredo of the independent American Association in exchange for a player to be named. Brandt spent three years in the Tampa Bay Rays’ system and advanced to Class AA last year.

Placed on the 14-day disabled list, were pitcher Tim Giel and outfielder Craig Massoni.

The Wild Things currently have 23 active players, one under the Frontier League limit.