Lineups in flux for LV

Nick Christensen

Thursday, April 1, 2004 | 9:34 a.m.

With the Las Vegas 51s' season opener a week away, the buzzword around Cashman Field this season may be 'flexibility.'

"I think I have well over 100 lineups. I've got that kind of flexibility, and it's not a bad thing this time," said Terry Kennedy, about to begin his first season as manager of the 51s. "We'll give everybody a chance to play through this kind of variety and versatility."

Kennedy said the majority of his lineup is set for this season, with a few holes remaining that should be answered after the parent club Los Angeles Dodgers conclude spring training this weekend.

The questions still on the roster are some of the more notable names in the Dodgers system. Pitcher Edwin Jackson could begin the year with either Los Angeles or Las Vegas, as could second baseman Joe Thurston and catcher Koyie Hill. One player the 51s know won't be back is left-handed reliever Steve Colyer. He was traded this morning to the Detroit Tigers.

But Kennedy said that outfielders Chin-Feng Chen, Shane Victorino, John Barnes and Tarrik Brock will start the year at Triple-A. Infielders on this year's initial roster include Jose Flores, Eric Riggs, Nick Theodorou, Rick Bell, Luis Garcia and Ryan Kellner.

Las Vegas' starting rotation will include, in no particular order, Heath Totten, Tom Farmer, Joel Hanrahan, Mark Johnson, and Winston Abreu. Backing them up in the bullpen will be returners Augustin Montero and Rodney Myers, plus newcomer Matt Jarvis.

The offensive highlight is Barnes, one of the leading Pacific Coast League hitters in 2003 when he was with Nashville. Barnes hit .323 with 13 home runs for the Sounds, Pittsburgh's top farm team.

Assuming Edwin Jackson does not start the season in Las Vegas, 23-year-old Farmer figures to be the highlight of the 51s' rotation. In 28 1/3 innings at Triple-A last year, he struck out 14 and logged a 2.54 ERA.

"We have a much better than adequate offense, have some pop. We don't have much teem speed, besides Victorino and Theodorou. I think our defense will improve. It's adequate or above right now," Kennedy said. "Our starting pitching is probably the ... I'm not going to call it a question mark or weak point, just going to say it's in flux. We don't know how we're going to establish that. It'll be much clearer by end of April, but our bullpen is outstanding."

Romano has had an outstanding spring training with the Dodgers, hitting .358 in 22 games last month. Ruan struggled in spring training, hitting just .146 but stealing six bases on seven attempts.