KANSAS CITY, Kan. – With the Kansas City T-Bones scheduled to begin the 2015 season on Friday night against Lincoln at CommunityAmerica Ballpark, manager John Massarelli has announced his Opening Day roster with the league maximum of 23 active players.

Nine players who finished the 2014 season with Kansas City are on the Opening Day roster including pitchers Casey Barnes, Kyle DeVore, Derek Loera, Jared Messer, the club’s Player of the Year Kris Regas and Joe VanMeter, along with shortstop Vladimir Frias, outfielder Robby Kuzdale, and catcher Brian Erie.

Among the 14 newcomers in 2015, seven have direct ties to Kansas City. Pitchers Aaron Baker and Blake Holovach, infielder Jake Blackwood, who played for the T-Bones during 2009-10, and utility player Nate Tenbrink all are from the Kansas City area. Pitcher Josh Tols, who’s from Australia, played collegiately at Rockhurst University; outfielder Adam Bailey, who played at the University of Nebraska, lives in Overland Park; and outfielder C.J. Henry played basketball at the University of Kansas.

One player, pitcher Fernando Hernandez, has major-league experience, while Bailey, Frias, Regas, and Tenbrink all have reached triple-A during their careers.

In order to get the roster to 23 players, the T-Bones released pitcher Garrett Granitz and outfielder Jordan Hurtt.
 
The T-Bones open their 13th regular season on May 22 against Lincoln at 7:05 p.m. at CommunityAmerica Ballpark. Tickets are available by calling the Providence Medical Center Box Office at CommunityAmerica Ballpark at 913-328-5618.

The complete 2015 Opening Day roster can be seen here.