This time: May 17-23
Previous installment: May 10-16

Check out the Transactions Glossary for the key to deciphering the various inactive lists presented here. Last week’s Prospect Injury Report features updates on the status of Joe Benson and Tyler Colvin.

Arizona Diamondbacks
Signed: 3B Abraham Nunez
Recalled: RHP Billy Buckner, RHP Kyler Newby, LHP Doug Slaten, LHP Clay Zavada
Optioned to Triple-A: RHP Bryan Augenstein, 1B Josh Whitesell
Optioned to Double-A: RHP Kyler Newby
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Ryan Cook, RHP Bryan Woodall
Reinstated from DL: RHP Ramon Sanchez

A 50th-round pick made good, Newby was added to the 40-man roster last winter and spent a few days in big leagues, without appearing in a game, before being optioned back to Mobile. At 6-foot-4 and 225 pounds, he relies on a high-80s sinker and a slider to get results. The 24-year-old, who signed as a draft-and-follow in ’05 after a year at Mesa (Ariz.) CC, has gone 1-0, 3.20 with 19 strikeouts, nine walks and two home runs allowed in 19 2/3 Double-A innings.

Atlanta Braves
Released: RHP Manuel Vega, LHP Carlos Rivas, LHP Travis Wilson
Recalled: RHP Manny Acosta, SS Diory Hernandez
Added to 40-man roster: RHP Kris Medlen
Optioned to Triple-A: RHP James Parr
Reinstated from DL: LHP Lee Hyde, 2B Travis Jones

Medlen left the Triple-A International League as its leader in ERA (1.19), but he’s been hit hard in two big league starts. He’s 0-2, 9.72, having given up nine runs on seven hits, while striking out six in 8 1/3 innings. Seven walks, a hit batter, two wild pitches and a balk round out his pitching line, suggesting Medlen, 23, may be pitching through a bout of nervousness. He’s listed at 5-foot-10 and his 91-92 mph fastball is usually true, but his fearless, strike-throwing approach has produced results in the minors. Command of a very strong curveball comes in handy when he works ahead of batters.

Baltimore Orioles
Signed: 2B Brandon Pinckney
Recalled: RHP Matt Albers
Placed on 7-day DL: SS Jedidiah Stephen
Reinstated from DL: SS Jedidiah Stephen, OF Daniel Figueroa

Boston Red Sox
Signed: OF Freddy Guzman
Traded: OF Jeff Corsaletti to Pirates for future considerations
Optioned to Triple-A: LHP Hunter Jones, SS Gil Velazquez
Placed on 7-day DL: LHP Chris George, C Sandy Madera, 2B Aaron Reza
Reinstated from DL: C Will Vazquez
Placed on temporarily inactive list: RHP Randor Bierd

Chicago Cubs
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Aaron Shafer, LHP Jeremy Papelbon, OF Matt Camp, OF Brad Snyder
Reinstated from DL: RHP Justin Berg, RHP Marco Carrillo, C Mario Mercedes, OF Tyler Colvin
Reinstated from inactive list: RHP Julio Castillo

Chicago White Sox
Released: RHP Adam Bowling, LHP Kyle Aselton, 3B Hancer Vargas
Traded: 2B Gookie Dawkins to Marlins for future considerations
Optioned to Triple-A: SS Brent Lillibridge
Reinstated from DL: LHP Kyle Aselton, LHP Garrett Johnson, 1B Daryle Ward, SS Gordon Beckham

Cincinnati Reds
Acquired: RHP Justin Lehr from Phillies for future considerations
Recalled: RHP Homer Bailey, RHP Carlos Fisher, RHP Ramon Ramirez
Added to 40-man roster: OF Jonny Gomes
Optioned to Triple-A: RHP Ramon Ramirez
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Ben Davis, RHP Daryl Thompson, 2B Drew Sutton, SS Alex Buchholz
Reinstated from DL: OF Norris Hopper
Reinstated from inactive list: RHP Rafael Gonzalez

Cleveland Indians
Signed: RHP Masahide Kobayashi, RHP Juan Salas
Traded: RHP Randy Newsom to Pirates for future considerations
Recalled: LHP Rich Rundles, LHP Jeremy Sowers
Added to 40-man roster: RHP Greg Aquino, LHP David Huff
Optioned to Triple-A: LHP Tony Sipp
Outrighted to Triple-A and removed from 40-man: RHP Masahide Kobayashi
Placed on 7-day DL: LHP Ryan Miller, OF George Lombard, OF Roman Pena
Reinstated from DL: RHP Scott Roehl, RHP Bryce Stowell, 3B Jeremie Tice
Reinstated from inactive list: RHP Sandy Mendez

Huff, a supplemental first-round pick in ’06, has been roughed up for 13 runs in 6 2/3 innings in two road starts, one in Tampa Bay and one in Cincinnati. Five walks and three home runs have been the main culprits, but the 24-year-old features a sneaky-fast 87-90 mph fastball with running action. His changeup is good enough to combat big league righthanded batters, and his two breaking balls flash average. Huff also had been a bit wild with Triple-A Columbus, issuing 16 walks in 39 1/3 innings.

Colorado Rockies
Signed: RHP Michael Nix, RHP Matt Wilhite, LHP Ben Julianel
Acquired: OF Brad Corley from Pirates for future considerations
Added to 40-man roster: RHP Joel Peralta
Option transferred: RHP Ryan Mattheus (AA to AAA), LHP Greg Smith (High A to AAA)
Designated for assignment: RHP Steven Register
Outrighted to Triple-A and removed from 40-man: LHP Glendon Rusch
Reinstated from DL: SS Matt Repec

Considered a reach by many as a Pirates’ second-round pick out of Mississippi State in ’05, Corley gets a new lease on life with the Rockies. A 25-year-old righthanded batter, he cracked 30 home runs total in two seasons at the A-ball level, in ’06 and ’07, but he’s batted just .254/.296/.387 in 178 games at the Double-A level since then. An impatient approach, highlighted by a career 404-to-77 strikeout-to-walk ratio (that’s 5.2-to-1) has been Corley’s undoing.

Detroit Tigers
Recalled: OF Wilkin Ramirez
Optioned to Triple-A: LHP Luke French, OF Wilkin Ramirez
Reinstated from DL: OF Jeramy Laster

Florida Marlins
Signed: OF Erik Kanaby
Released: 3B Mitch MacDonald
Acquired: 2B Gookie Dawkins from White Sox for future considerations
Placed on restricted list: OF Tom Hickman
Recalled: RHP Chris Leroux, LHP Dave Davidson, C Brett Hayes, SS Andy Gonzalez
Added to 40-man roster: RHP Cristhian Martinez, RHP Brian Sanches, LHP Sean West, OF Alejandro De Aza
Optioned to Triple-A: RHP Carlos Martinez, RHP Ricky Nolasco, OF Alejandro De Aza
Optioned to Double-A: RHP Cristhian Martinez
Outrighted to Triple-A and removed from 40-man: LHP John Koronka, SS Andy Gonzalez
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Carlos Martinez, LHP Carlos Vasquez
Reinstated from DL: RHP Willie Glen
Reinstated from inactive list: RHP Daniel Barone, OF Tom Hickman

A borderline NL Cy Young award candidate last year, when he went 15-8, 3.52 with 186 strikeouts, Nolasco’s ERA jumped 4 1/2 runs, up to 9.07, through his first nine starts this year, prompting the Marlins to demote him. West benefits from the move, as the Marlins opted to call up the prized 6-foot-8 lefthander from Double-A Jacksonville rather than turn once again to John Koronka (11.05 ERA) or Graham Taylor (8.18). He joins Chris Volstad in the rotation, giving Florida a second high school arm from its vaunted pitching class of ’05. The 22-year-old West missed the entire ’07 season while recovering from surgery to repair a torn labrum, but he’s come a long way back in showing consistent low-90s heat and a plus low-80s slider. He walked four batters in five innings during his big league debut, and inconsistent mechanics (did we mention he’s 6-foot-8?) have led to high walk rates in each of the past two season. West was 4-2, 4.85 with 50 strikeouts, 22 walks and nine home runs allowed in 42 2/3 Southern League innings.

Houston Astros
Signed: SS Brandon Wilkerson
Released: RHP Chase Lehr, LHP Radaulin Vargas, 2B Chris Minaker
Recalled: SS Edwin Maysonet
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Jose Duran, RHP Chia-Jen Lo, RHP Jose Trinidad
Reinstated from DL: LHP Brad Dydalewicz, LHP Tyler Lumsden, LHP Kirkland Rivers, OF Steve Brown

Wilkerson, 21, is the son of big league veteran Curtis Wilkerson, who served as Brandon’s manager with McKinney of the independent Continental League in 2008. Brandon played high school ball at Lamar High in Arlington, Texas.

Kansas City Royals
Signed: LHP Carlos Rivas, 1B Scott Thorman
Released: RHP Roque Breton
Optioned to Triple-A: RHP Luke Hochevar
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Zach Peterson, 1B Ryan Shealy

The Royals signed two more players with ties to the Braves, a common occurrence during the reign of general manager Dayton Moore. Rivas, 24, had been released by Atlanta on May 17 after compiling a 7.52 ERA with high Class A Myrtle Beach. Thorman, a Braves first-round pick in ’00, had passed through the Brewers and Rangers organizations this spring on his way to the Royals.

The Royals gave Hochevar three starts to work with during his callup, but he did little to reward their faith, going 0-2, 10.80 with two disastrous outings and a bad one. In all, he surrendered 15 runs on 17 hits in 11 2/3 innings, striking out just three while waking seven.

Los Angeles Angels
Signed: RHP Rudy Seanez
Released: RHP Cephas Howard, RHP Jailen Peguero, RHP Jordan Towns, OF Patrick Breen
Placed on 7-day DL: 2B Abel Nieves, 3B Jon Townsend, SS Ryan Mount
Reinstated from DL: RHP David Austen, RHP Jordan Walden
Reinstated from inactive list: LHP Chris Armstrong

If the 39-year-old Seanez suits up for the Angels, it will be the 10th big league club he’s played for. Since debuting with the Indians in ’89 (he was a fourth-round pick in ’86), he’s played for the Padres (three times), Dodgers (twice), Braves, Rangers, Red Sox (twice), Royals, Marlins and Phillies. On the minor league side, Seanez additionally has pitched for the Rockies and Mets.

Los Angeles Dodgers
Signed: RHP Hyang-Nam Choi
Acquired: RHP Eric Krebs from Pirates as player to be named in trade of OF Delwyn Young
Recalled: OF Jaime Hoffmann
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Miguel Pinango, C Lucas May, 1B Gaby Martinez
Reinstated from DL: LHP Victor Garate, 2B Preston Mattingly, OF Jovanny Rosario

Milwaukee Brewers
Traded: OF Tony Gwynn Jr. to Padres for OF Jody Gerut
Recalled: LHP R.J. Swindle, 2B Hernan Iribarren
Optioned to Triple-A: 2B Hernan Iribarren
Reinstated from DL: LHP Sam Narron, 3B John Delaney, OF Logan Schafer

Minnesota Twins
Released: LHP Henry Reyes
Recalled: RHP Anthony Swarzak, C Jose Morales
Added to 40-man roster: LHP Sean Henn
Optioned to Triple-A: C Jose Morales
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Shooter Hunt, SS Estarlin de los Santos, OF Adan Severino
Reinstated from DL: RHP Ben Hendrickson, RHP Curtis Leavitt, LHP Blake Martin, LHP Mike Tarsi, 2B Ramon Santana

New York Mets
Added to 40-man roster: 2B Ramon Martinez
Outrighted to Triple-A and removed from 40-man: RHP Nelson Figueroa
Placed on 7-day DL: 2B Hector Pellot
Reinstated from DL: LHP Adam Bostick, 2B Luis Rivera

New York Yankees
Optioned to Triple-A: RHP Jonathan Albaladejo, RHP Edwar Ramirez
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Dellin Betances, 3B Carlos Mendoza
Reinstated from DL: RHP Christian Garcia, RHP Amauri Sanit

Oakland Athletics
Released: RHP Jose Fragoso, RHP Jason Glushon, LHP Justin Dowdy, OF Javier Herrera
Recalled: LHP Gio Gonzalez
Added to 40-man roster: RHP Edgar Gonzalez, RHP Chris Schroder
Optioned to Triple-A: RHP Sean Gallagher, RHP Chris Schroder, LHP Gio Gonzalez, OF Aaron Cunningham
Option transferred: RHP Henry Rodriguez (AAA to High A)
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Chris Farley, RHP Alex Leon, RHP Josue Selenes
Reinstated from DL: RHP Jose Fragoso, RHP Jason Glushon, RHP Jose Guzman, RHP Henry Rodriguez, RHP Jerome Williams, OF Chris Denorfia

Athletics correspondent Casey Tefertiller reports that Herrera, who appeared in one game for Double-A Midland and went 0-for-2, broke the hook of his hamate bone and was expected to miss about six weeks. It’s only the latest in a series of injuries to befall the once touted prospect, who at age 24 and after eight pro season has not appeared in a big league game. The Venezuela native (he signed as a 16-year-old in ’01) ranked as the Athletics’ No. 9 farmhand in our ’08 Prospect Handbook. The report follows:

Herrera was highly touted after ranking as the short-season Northwest League’s top prospect in 2004, but was suspended for two weeks in 2005 for testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance, then missed all of 2006 recovering from Tommy John surgery. Herrera didn’t return until spring training last year (Note: 2007) and hamstring problems limited him to just 82 games. When he’s healthy, Herrera’s tools still rank among the best in the system. He’s a five-tool player with exceptional bat speed, power, speed, defense and arm strength. His strong wrists help his righthanded stroke produce hard contact to all fields. Herrera’s work ethic first came into question when he wasn’t fully committed to his rehab from Tommy John surgery. Scouts are critical about his lackadaisical demeanor on the field, as he appears to do what he wants to do and not what’s expected of him. His hamstring issues have reduced his speed and limited his range in center field. He never had a lot of plate discipline, and it regressed last season. Herrera might be destined for a corner spot if he can’t keep his legs healthy, in which case he’d have to show more power. He’s still just 22 and relatively raw from all the missed time, and he’ll try to put in a full season in Double-A this year. (Note: Herrera played in 61 games for Midland in ’08, batting .267/.330/.439 with nine home runs.)

Hard-throwing Henry Rodriguez, 22, returned from offseason hernia surgery to debut with high Class A Stockton.

Philadelphia Phillies
Signed: RHP Angel Castro
Released: RHP Steve Green
Traded: RHP Justin Lehr to Reds for future considerations
Recalled: RHP Scott Nestor, LHP Sergio Escalona, OF John Mayberry Jr.
Optioned to Triple-A: RHP Steven Register, LHP Sergio Escalona
Outrighted to Triple-A and removed from 40-man: 2B Miguel Cairo
Outrighted to Double-A and removed from 40-man: RHP Scott Nestor
Placed on 7-day DL: LHP Josh Shortslef, LHP Jared Simon, 3B Mike Cervenak
Reinstated from DL: C Kevin Nelson, SS Jorge Velandia

Mayberry Jr. makes a whole lot of sense for the Phillies as a righthanded batter who hits lefties for power and thus complements a lefthanded-leaning lineup. The funny thing is, all eight of his home runs for Triple-A Lehigh Valley came against righthanded pitchers, against whom he had batted .274/.355/.566 in 106 at-bats. It’s an encouraging sign for the 25-year-old corner outfielder, who batted .277/.346/.540 overall with 25 RBIs in 37 games. The Phillies picked him up last winter, swapping one first-round pick for another, in their trade of Greg Golson to the Rangers.

The Phillies claimed Register, 26, on waivers from the Rockies. He went 0-2, 4.50 for Triple-A Colorado Springs, while converting just six of 10 save chances. He struck out 13, walked four and allowed three home runs in 16 innings.

Pittsburgh Pirates
Signed: RHP Jimmy Barthmaier
Released: RHP Jimmy Barthmaier
Acquired: RHP Randy Newsom from Indians for future considerations
Acquired: OF Jeff Corsaletti from Red Sox for future considerations
Traded: RHP Eric Krebs to Dodgers as player to be named in trade for OF Delwyn Young
Traded: OF Brad Corley to Rockies for future considerations
Recalled: LHP Tom Gorzelanny
Optioned to Triple-A: RHP Eric Hacker, RHP Steven Jackson
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Lincoln Holdzkom, RHP Jared Hughes, SS Chris Barnwell
Reinstated from DL: C Adam Melhuse, OF Marcus Davis
Placed on temporarily inactive list: RHP Yoffri Martinez
Reinstated from inactive list: RHP Yoffri Martinez

The Pirates claimed Jackson, 27, on waivers after he had been designated for assignment by the Yankees. Working mostly as a reliever for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, he compiled a 1.88 ERA while striking out eight and walking three in 14 1/3 innings.

St. Louis Cardinals
Signed: 1B Javier Brito
Recalled: LHP Charlie Manning
Optioned to Triple-A: OF Shane Robinson
Outrighted to minors and removed from 40-man: LHP Charlie Manning
Placed on 7-day DL: LHP Jonny Bravo, C Brandon Yarbrough, 1B Mark Hamilton, OF Jon Edwards

San Diego Padres
Signed: LHP Scott Rice
Released: OF Robert Perry
Traded: OF Jody Gerut to Brewers for OF Tony Gwynn Jr.
Added to 40-man roster: OF Tony Gwynn Jr.
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Tom Davis, OF Peter Ciofrone
Reinstated from DL: SS Drew Cumberland, SS Beamer Weems, OF Vince Sinisi

San Francisco Giants
Signed: SS Ramon A. Castro
Released: RHP Adam Cowart
Recalled: 2B Kevin Frandsen
Added to 40-man roster: 1B Jesus Guzman
Optioned to Triple-A: C Steve Holm, 2B Eugenio Velez
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Chris Wilson

Now with this third organization, the 24-year-old Guzman finally hit his way to the big leagues. He batted .363/.391/.592 in 157 at-bats for Triple-A Fresno, clubbing six home runs and 12 doubles in 39 games. A monster campaign in the Venezuelan League last winter (.349/.435/.616 with 13 home runs in 61 games) paired with a new defensive home at first base garnered Guzman attention from the Giants. An aggressive righthanded batter who has hit for power for three consecutive seasons now, he can provide the thunder as part of an offense/defense platoon with Travis Ishikawa in San Francisco. Guzman, whom the Mariners signed out of Venezuela in ’00, had spent most of his minor league time at second and third base, but he’s a below-average defender at both spots.

A veteran of nine seasons in affiliated ball, Castro spent all of ’07 and ’08—as well as part of ’09—as shortstop for the independent Atlantic League’s Newark Bears.

Seattle Mariners
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Michael Pineda, RHP Aaron Pribanic, 3B Leury Bonilla
Reinstated from DL: RHP Jesus Delgado, C Juan Fuentes, C Travis Howell, OF Kalian Sams

Tampa Bay Rays
Recalled: RHP Dale Thayer, SS Reid Brignac
Placed on 7-day DL: LHP Michael Jarman
Reinstated from inactive list: RHP Ricardo Montilla

Texas Rangers
Released: OF Joe Gaetti
Recalled: RHP Warner Madrigal
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Ryan Tatusko, C Leonel de los Santos
Reinstated from DL: LHP Tim Murphy, OF Joe Gaetti, OF Dustin Majewski
Reinstated from inactive list: OF Miguel Velazquez

Toronto Blue Jays
Released: RHP Michael Barbara, RHP David Shinskie, LHP Cody Crowell, OF Yensy Perez
Recalled: RHP Casey Janssen, 2B Joe Inglett
Optioned to Triple-A: RHP Robert Ray, LHP Brett Cecil, OF Travis Snider
Option transferred: RHP Casey Janssen (AA to AAA), LHP Davis Romero (AAA to AA)
Reinstated from DL: 2B Joe Inglett, OF Todd Donovan

Washington Nationals
Recalled: RHP Jason Bergmann, LHP Ross Detwiler, C Josh Bard, OF Justin Maxwell
Added to 40-man roster: RHP Craig Stammen
Optioned to Triple-A: RHP Garrett Mock
Outrighted to Triple-A and removed from 40-man: RHP Logan Kensing
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Randy Matias, LHP Cory VanAllen
Reinstated from DL: RHP Luis Atilano
Reinstated from inactive list: RHP Jorge Sosa

They don’t make rotations younger than Washington’s current configuration, which features John Lannan, 24; Jordan Zimmermann, 23; Shairon Martis, 22; Ross Detwiler, 23; and now the 25-year-old Stammen. A 12th-round pick from Dayton in ’05, Stammen competes with a low-90s sinker and an effective, if average, curveball and changeup. He’s capable of dialing up to 94 mph with his four-seamer, but the pitch tends to flatten out on him. The 6-foot-3 Stammen is quick to the plate, and he finished his steady climb to the majors by going 4-2, 1.80 in seven starts for Triple-A Syracuse this season, but with just 14 strikeouts and eight walks in 40 innings.