Royster’s roster for ‘96 filled with vets

Thursday, March 28, 1996 | 11:59 a.m.

PEORIA, Ariz. -- Although not engraved in stone, Las Vegas Stars manager Jerry Royster learned Wednesday which players will be on his roster when the Stars open their season April 4 in Vancouver.

As expected, the 1996 edition of the Stars will be loaded with veteran players, many of whom have major-league experience. Only two players -- infielders Homer Bush and Jason Thompson -- will be making their triple-A debuts.

Pending any injuries or trades by the San Diego Padres, the Stars will open the season with Thompson at first base, Bush at second, Rico Rossy at shortstop and Mike Sharperson at third. Julio Bruno and Paul Russo will be the utility infielders.

In the outfield, the Stars will have Ira Smith, Riccardo Ingram, Jeff Barry and former major leaguer Doug Dascenzo.

The Stars' starting pitching staff will consist of right-handers Denny Harriger, Pete Smith and Scott Lewis and left-handers Glenn Dishman and Russ Swan. Right-handers Dustin Hermanson, Weston Weber and Pete Walker and left-hander Ron Villone will begin the season in the bullpen. Right-handers Paul Abbott and Mike Oquist are nursing injuries and will begin the season on the Stars' disabled list.

Sharperson, Ingram and Villone are still in major-league camp, but are expected to be left in Las Vegas when the Padres play the Toronto Blue Jays Saturday at Cashman Field. The Padres also will leave behind one other pitcher.

One question mark for Royster and the Stars remains the status of outfielder Rob Deer. Deer is not expected to make the Padres' 25-man Opening Day roster and the team has been unable to complete a deal to trade him to another major-league team.

Deer has said this spring that he has no desire to return to the minor leagues, but Padres officials are trying to convince him to report to the Stars. Deer hit 14 home runs and had 45 RBIs in 64 games with Las Vegas last season.

Spring flings

* STARS VS. UNLV: In addition to playing the Milwaukee Brewers Saturday at 7 p.m. at Cashman Field, the Stars will meet UNLV in a fund-raising exhibition game Tuesday at 6:05 p.m. at Cashman. Admission is $5 and proceeds will benefit the UNLV baseball program.

* STARS VS. BREWERS: Right-hander Denny Harriger, who was 9-9 with a 4.07 ERA and led the Pacific Coast League in complete games (7) and shutouts (2) with the Stars last season, is scheduled to start against Milwaukee on Saturday. If Stars pitching coach Galen Cisco sticks with his spring rotation, Harriger also should start the Stars' season opener next week in Vancouver.