Broncos announce return of 4

The Broncos announced the return of four players on Monday, bringing their roster total to 12.

The four are outfielder Anthony Bennett, infielder Matt Imwalle and pitchers Dan Sausville and Nathan Crawford.

Bennett, a solid guy in the clubhouse who embraces the role of team leader, was a Bronco in 2006, when the team made its playoff run, and 2008.

Last season, he was a starter and hit .263 with 31 RBIs and two home runs.

He led the team in walks (54) and on-base percentage (.408).

Imwalle is expected to slide into the designated hitter role this season.

He joined the Broncos late last year and played in 20 games, hitting .300 with 15 RBIs and two home runs.

“Anthony and Matt provide two big bats in our lineup,” Broncos manager Ricardo Cuevas said in a press release. “They have played in Laredo before and know what it takes to make this team successful.”

Sausville was reliable for the Broncos last season, making 33 appearances, the second most on the team.

He was 3-3 with a 5.40 ERA. This season, he will be a starter, a role Broncos General Manager Jose Melendez said will suit him well.

“I expect him to have a breakout year this season,” Melendez said. “He’ll be a starter, and that’s where he needs to be because he has five solid pitches.”

Crawford returns for his second tour of duty with the Broncos. He made 18 relief appearances last season.

“He’s been throwing harder this year with better control,” Melendez said. “He looks very sharp so I’m expecting good things from him. He has a good arm.”

Melendez said he expects to bring 28 players to the Broncos’ preseason camp, with 22 making the final roster.

While he expects a few more signings within the next two weeks, he also has May 30 circled on his calendar.

That’s when the team will hold local tryouts at Veterans Field.

“We’re going to save a lot of spots for local players,” he said. “That’s what we’re looking for. Most of the guys we take into the season, we hope they’ll be local talent.

“We want a true hometown team. We’re getting a lot of support from the community and we’re getting people excited, so we want to continue in that direction.”