JETHAWKS NOTEBOOK: MORE CUTS ARE EXPECTED SOON.

Byline: Gideon Rubin Staff Writer

TUCSON, Ariz. - With just days remaining in spring training, how many of the current JetHawks' work group makes it to Lancaster is unknown.

Releases are expected throughout the week as the parent Arizona Diamondbacks trim rosters at all levels.

The whittling process is being accelerated because the Diamondbacks' Double-A El Paso (Texas) team breaks camp today in advance of an exhibition game against the Diamondbacks, the team it hosts Thursday.

Managers at all levels of the system have lost valuable time recently because the Diamondbacks have been using minor leaguers in exhibition games. On Sunday, the JetHawks group played split-squad games with the Colorado Rockies' workout group, with position players going against the Rockies high-A team and pitchers playing in a low-A game.

Former JetHawks pitcher Mike Gray was among three minor-league players to be released Monday. Other moves were expected Tuesday. The El Paso group needs to cut 14 players from its 38-member group by the end of the day, moves that probably will impact Lancaster.

``We really need to get our team together,'' JetHawks manager Mike Aldrete said. ``I haven't even seen a lot of the guys that may end up going to Lancaster.''

Aldrete said several players have been slated for Lancaster, including catcher Chris Snyder, outfielder Josh Kroeger, third baseman Dan Uggla (all former JetHawks), shortstop Sergio Santos (a 2002 first-round draft pick) and outfielder Marland Williams.

The JetHawks were scheduled to play an exhibition game against the White Sox high-A group Tuesday using a team that likely will more closely resemble the product that will show up in Lancaster early next week, Diamondbacks farm director Tommy Jones said.

At least as close as possible.

``Right now we're at the mercy of getting guys back from the big-league club, and that might go down to the end of the week,'' Jones said.

The uncertainty has left many players, including former JetHawks outfielder Dwight Edge, in limbo.

``I'm kind of anxious,'' said Edge, who's been playing with the El Paso group this spring. ``I just try not to think about it because it's not (my) decision.''

Most have to give it some thought because they have to make living arrangements, and some will be searching for new careers.

``Whatever happens, happens,'' said former JetHawks outfielder Jesus Cota, who also has been playing with the El Paso group. ``You never know. You can have a really good spring and still get sent down.''

--Big-league exposure: Sixteen former JetHawks have played in major- league exhibition games, including nine who were on last season's team.

The experience was especially exciting for Cota, a Tucson resident who played for Pima Junior College less than two years ago.

``It was fun being out there and hearing people in the stands cheering me on,'' he said.

Former JetHawk Craig Ansman, projected to be El Paso's starting catcher, also was in that group.

``You get a little anxious at first, but it's really fun being around the guys that are really experienced,'' he said. ``It's really a good experience to be up there and see what it's like. It gives you the confidence that you could be up there some day, too.''

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Photo:

JOSH KROEGER

Former JetHawks outfielder one of several players scheduled to return to Lancaster after spring training breaks.