This time: June 28-July 4
Previous installment: June 20-27

Numbers in parentheses indicate draft rounds. Visit our Draft Database for school and signing information. Subscribers can view scouting reports for many top picks as well as search for players by last name or state.

Check out the Transactions Glossary for the key to deciphering the various inactive lists presented here. And don’t forget the Prospect Injury Report, which is filed here along with other updates on banged-up prospects.

Arizona Diamondbacks
Released: RHP Jesse Orosco Jr.
Optioned to Triple-A: RHP Leo Rosales, 3B Ryan Roberts
Placed on 7-day DL: SS Ed Rogers, SS Antonio Sepulveda
Reinstated from DL: 1B Dan Kauffman, OF Greg Thomson

Atlanta Braves
Placed on restricted list: 1B Ryohei Shimabukuro
Added to 40-man roster: 2B Brooks Conrad
Option transferred: RHP Stephen Marek (Double-A to Triple-A)
Placed on 7-day DL: LHP Brett DeVall, OF Jon Owings
Reinstated from DL: RHP Rudy Darrow, LHP Jose Ortegano, 1B Gerardo Rodriguez, OF Jordan Schafer

Filling in for the injured Kelly Johnson at second base, Conrad began his Braves career by going 5-for-his-first-14 with a double, a triple and a homer. Not bad for a player who twice has made the rounds on the minor league free agent circuit—though he might not visit it again for awhile if he keeps this up. Chalk (another) one up to the Braves’ pro scouting department. The 29-year-old switch-hitting Conrad batted .259/.356/.413 in 73 games with Triple-A Gwinnett prior to his callup.

An Astros’ eighth-round pick from Arizona State in ’01, Conrad has shown encouraging power (.477 slugging) for a middle infielder in Triple-A. Houston, though, never did call him up during his seven years in the organization. He migrated to the Athletics for the ’08 season, and while he did make it to Oakland he played in just six games. Strange, seeing as he had blasted 28 home runs in Pacific Coast League play. It was no fluke. He hit 22, 24 and 23 homers in the three previous seasons. What’s held him back is limited contact and hittability (.248 average in Triple-A with about a strikeout per game)—though scouts do appreciate Conrad’s level of plate coverage and his line-drive stroke. They even laud his soft hands and actions afield as well as his double-play pivot.

Baltimore Orioles
Signed: SS Pat McCrory (NDFA—Embry-Riddle (Fla.))
Draft picks signed: RHP David Baker (14), RHP Matt Hobgood (1), 1B Tyler Townsend (3)
Released: LHP Bobby Livingston, C Dustin Black, OF Lee Ellis
Recalled: RHP David Hernandez
Reinstated from DL: C Victor Castillo, OF Jeff Fiorentino

Boston Red Sox
Draft picks signed: C Michael Thomas (12), OF Reymond Fuentes (1), OF Shannon Wilkerson (8)
Recalled: 1B Jeff Bailey
Option transferred: C Mark Wagner (Double-A to Triple-A)
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Stolmy Pimentel, LHP Kason Gabbard, C Carlos Maldonado, OF David Marks
Reinstated from DL: RHP Junichi Tazawa, OF William Holmes

A ninth-round pick in ’05 from UC Irvine, Wagner batted .301/.410/.477 in 42 games for Double-A Portland and earned a quick promotion to Pawtucket. As a top defensive catcher with double-digit pop, the 25-year-old will have a future in the big leagues for some organization, in some capacity.

Chicago Cubs
Draft picks signed: RHP Trey McNutt (32), LHP Chris Rusin (4), C Richard Jones (9), SS Wes Darvill (5), SS Blair Springfield (7), OF Brett Jackson (1)
Released: 1B Sean Hoorelbeke, 1B Ryan Keedy
Traded: RHP Al Alburquerque to Rockies for 2B Jeff Baker
Acquired: 1B Matt Craig from Marlins for future considerations
Recalled: RHP Jeff Samardzija, OF Sam Fuld
Optioned to Triple-A: RHP Jose Ascanio
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Julio Castillo, LHP John Gaub, C Mark Johnson

Chicago White Sox
Signed: RHP Nelson Curry (NDFA—Mobile (Ala.))
Draft picks signed: 1B Leighton Pangilinan (40), SS Jared McDonald (21)
Option transferred: RHP Jhonny Nunez (Double-A to Triple-A)
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Brian Omogrosso

Cincinnati Reds
Signed: RHP Chris Kelly
Draft picks signed: RHP Jacob Johnson (11), LHP Mitchell Clarke (19)
Recalled: RHP Homer Bailey, 2B Drew Sutton
Optioned to Triple-A: RHP Jared Burton, 3B Adam Rosales
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Dallas Buck, RHP Jordan Smith, RHP Daryl Thompson, C Chris Denove, OF Kel Jones
Reinstated from inactive list: RHP Justin Lehr

Cleveland Indians
Signed: LHP Bobby Livingston
Draft picks signed: RHP Antwonie Hubbard (26), RHP Kyle Smith (20)
Recalled: RHP John Meloan
Option transferred: RHP Fausto Carmona (low Class A to Double-A)
Optioned to Triple-A: 2B Josh Barfield
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Blaine Neal, OF Mickey Hall, OF Adam White
Reinstated from DL: 3B Wes Hodges

Colorado Rockies
Signed: SS David Hernandez (NDFA—Texas)
Traded: 2B Jeff Baker to Cubs for RHP Al Alburquerque
Option transferred: LHP Greg Smith (Double-A to Triple-A)
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Andrew Johnston
Placed on 60-day DL: SS Helder Velazquez, OF Juan Crousset
Reinstated from DL: RHP Samuel Deduno, SS Hector Gomez
Placed on temporarily inactive list: RHP Franklin Nunez

Detroit Tigers
Signed: RHP Nolan Cain (NDFA—Louisiana State), RHP Zach Samuels (NDFA—UC Santa Barbara), LHP Michael Manus (NDFA—Indiana State), C Billy Alvino (NDFA—High Point), OF Maiko Loyola, OF Eddie Rush (NDFA—Marshall)
Released: 1B Wade Lamont
Recalled: LHP Luke French
Added to 40-man roster: LHP Fu-Te Ni
Optioned to Triple-A: RHP Alfredo Figaro
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Alfredo Figaro, 2B Michael Hollimon, 2B Maxwell Leon
Reinstated from DL: RHP Trevor Feeney, 1B Ryan Strieby
Placed on temporarily inactive list: OF Jeramy Laster

For every uniform embroiderer or play-by-play broadcaster who curses Jarrod Saltalamacchia and his 14-letter surname, the Tigers’ new lefty reliever Ni provides the perfect antidote. Signed out of Taiwan in January (reportedly becoming the first player from that country’s major league to sign directly with a U.S. club), the 26-year-old Ni succeeded right away when thrown to the wolves with Triple-A Toledo. At the time of his promotion, he sported a nifty 32-to-9 strikeout-to-walk ratio and had held lefty batters to a .184 average with no walks and just a pair of extra-base hits in 49 at-bats. He appeared in one game for Taiwan during the World Baseball Classic, letting in a run on three hits in 1 1/3 innings. Like a good situational lefty, Ni commands his sweeping, mid-70s curveball and backs it up with a deceptive high-80s fastball.

Florida Marlins
Signed: RHP Jordan Conley (NDFA—Xavier), RHP Scott Williamson, LHP Andrew Kainer (NDFA—Texas-Arlington)
Released: C Konrad Thieme
Traded: 1B Matt Craig to Cubs for future considerations
Placed on suspended list: LHP Aaron Thompson
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Ketnold Noel, RHP Henry Owens, RHP Brandon Todd, RHP Scott Williamson, C Dallas Hord, C Andrew Jenkins, C Kyle Skipworth, 2B Michael Brady, 3B Paul Gran, OF Chad Cregar, OF Kyle Jensen
Transferred to 60-day DL: RHP Benito Beato, OF Nestor Castillo
Reinstated from DL: RHP Josh Roberts, 1B Matt Craig
Reinstated from inactive list: LHP Aaron Thompson, C Andrew Jenkins, SS Terrence Dayleg

Thompson, an ’05 first-round pick, violated an undisclosed team policy, garnering his suspension.

Houston Astros
Signed: RHP Max Fearnow (NDFA—Stanford), RHP Tio McLean (NDFA—Tusculum (Tenn.)), RHP Charlie Weatherby, LHP Garrett Bullock (NDFA—Wake Forest)
Draft pick signed: SS Jiovanni Mier (1)
Released: RHP Brendan Donnelly
Recalled: LHP Tyler Lumsden
Option transferred: LHP Polin Trinidad (Double-A to Triple-A)
Optioned to Triple-A: LHP Wesley Wright, SS Edwin Maysonet
Outrighted to Triple-A and removed from 40-man: LHP Tyler Lumsden
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Reid Kelly, LHP German Perez, C J.R. Towles, OF Eli Iorg
Reinstated from inactive list: OF Eli Iorg

McLean didn’t have to travel far to suit up for Rookie-level Greeneville. Actually, he didn’t have to travel anywhere. The G-Astros rent Tusculum College’s Pioneer Park for the Appalachian League season.

Kansas City Royals
Signed: RHP Chad Orvella, C Luis Villegas, OF Javon Pickett (NDFA—Alabama-Huntsville)
Draft pick signed: SS Justin Trapp (34)
Released: RHP Carson Bryant
Acquired: LHP Stephen Randolph from Dodgers for future considerations
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Bryan Casey, RHP Aaron Hartsock, RHP Blake Wood, SS Chris McConnell
Reinstated from DL: RHP Federico Castaneda, 3B Marc Maddox

Los Angeles Angels
Draft picks signed: RHP Ryan Cisterna (34), OF Mike Trout (1)
Released: OF Marcel Champagnie, OF Raddy Sierra
Recalled: 2B Howie Kendrick
Optioned to Triple-A: RHP Rafael Rodriguez, 2B Sean Rodriguez
Placed on 7-day DL: LHP Robert Fish, 3B Matt Brown
Reinstated from DL: 3B Jay Brossman

Los Angeles Dodgers
Draft pick signed: OF Blake Smith (2)
Released: 1B Brian Mathews, 2B Victor Mercedes
Traded: LHP Brian Mazone to Phillies for future considerations
Traded: LHP Stephen Randolph to Royals for future considerations
Optioned to Triple-A: LHP Eric Stults, C A.J. Ellis
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Paul Koss, RHP Dwayne Pollok, LHP Greg Miller, C Kenley Jansen, C Mike Rose, 3B Hector Luna, SS Adolfo Gonzalez
Reinstated from DL: RHP Tim Corcoran, RHP Zach Schreiber, LHP Brian Mazone, LHP David Pfeiffer, C Lucas May, 2B Garett Green, 2B Victor Mercedes, OF Yosanddy Garcia, OF Travis Vetters

Interesting to see Smith listed as an outfielder, as he was a legitimate two-way talent for California and for Team USA last summer, with the college national roster. If he fails with the bat, he’ll probably get a chance to convert to pitching, as he’s touched 96 mph previously. (John Manuel).

Milwaukee Brewers
Signed: RHP Andrew Dunn (NDFA—Southern Illinois)
Draft picks signed: OF Khris Davis (7), OF Chad Stang (8)
Placed on restricted list: RHP Jeremy Jeffress
Option transferred: RHP Nick Green (Triple-A to Double-A), RHP Alex Periard (low Class A to high Class A)
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Josh Butler, SS Steve Braun, OF Chris Dennis
Reinstated from DL: RHP Cody Adams, RHP Nick Green, RHP Mike Jones, OF Lorenzo Cain

The top pitching prospect in the Brewers system, Jeffress failed a third test for a drug of abuse, registering a 100-game suspension under the rules of MLB’s drug-testing program. The 21-year-old, a first-round pick in ’06, struggled just as much on the field, walking 55 batters in 60 1/3 innings this season, earning him a demotion back to high Class A.

Minnesota Twins
Draft pick signed: LHP Matt Tone (14)
Recalled: RHP Anthony Swarzak, LHP Brian Duensing
Outrighted to Triple-A and removed from 40-man: LHP Sean Henn

New York Mets
Signed: RHP Trey Rackel (NDFA—Angelina (Texas) JC), SS Marshal Davis (NDFA—Texas-San Antonio)
Draft picks signed: C Cam Maron (34), 3B Josh Dunn (25), OF Jeff Greene (16)
Released: OF Matt Watson
Placed on 7-day DL: C Rogelio Del Campo, OF Rafael Fernandez
Placed on 60-day DL: LHP Mitch Houck
Reinstated from DL: OF Matt Watson

New York Yankees
Signed: LHP Edwin Walker (Gary Southshore (Northern)), 3B Yurendell De Caster (Fargo-Moorhead (Northern))
Released: C Steve Strausbaugh
Traded: RHP Casey Erickson and OF Eric Fryer to Pirates for OF Eric Hinske
Optioned to Triple-A: SS Ramiro Pena
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Manuel Barreda, RHP Pablo Hernandez, RHP Richard Martinez, C Kevin Cash, 3B Justin Leone, SS Carmen Angelini, OF Noah Hall, OF John Rodriguez
Reinstated from DL: LHP Wilkins de la Rossa, LHP Garrett Patterson, C Brian Baisley, C Steve Strausbaugh

Oakland Athletics
Draft pick signed: RHP Connor Hoehn (12)
Recalled: OF Travis Buck
Optioned to Triple-A: 1B Daric Barton, 3B Jack Hannahan
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Andrew Carignan

Philadelphia Phillies
Signed: RHP Harol Tolentino
Released: RHP Sam Walls, C Jean Carlos Rodriguez
Acquired: LHP Brian Mazone from Dodgers for future considerations
Recalled: LHP Sergio Escalona
Added to 40-man roster: RHP Rodrigo Lopez
Reinstated from DL: LHP Jared Simon
Reinstated from inactive list: SS Troy Hanzawa

Pittsburgh Pirates
Draft picks signed: SS Walker Gourley (13), OF Evan Chambers (3)
Released: RHP Christian Castorri, LHP Shawn Nottingham
Traded: OF Eric Hinske to Yankees for RHP Casey Erickson and OF Eric Fryer
Added to 40-man roster: 1B Garrett Jones, OF Jeff Salazar
Optioned to Triple-A: OF Lastings Milledge
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Harrison Bishop, RHP Owen Brolsma, RHP Brian Slocum, C Joel Collins, 3B Jeremy Farrell, OF Lastings Milledge
Reinstated from DL: RHP Harvey Garcia, RHP Jean Machi, LHP Shawn Nottingham, 1B Larry Broadway
Reinstated from inactive list: C Tony Sanchez

Jones, 28, signed as a minor league free agent in the offseason after seven years in the Twins system. (The Braves drafted him in ’99 only to cut him three years later.) The lefthanded-hitting Jones parlayed a strong first half with Triple-A Indianapolis—.307/.348/.507 with 12 home runs in 72 games—into playing time with the Pirates, essentially as a replacement for the traded Eric Hinske. A solid defender at first base or on an outfield corner, he knows the strike zone and can get around on good fastballs inside. He’s clubbed 93 home runs in five seasons in Triple-A, but like the Braves’ Brooks Conrad, he comes up a bit short in terms of his overall feel for hitting. Power won’t be a problem in a reserve role. (And, yes, I do have a soft spot for Triple-A veterans who make good as minor league free agents with new organizations.) 

St. Louis Cardinals
Signed: OF Wagner Mateo
Draft picks signed: RHP Joe Kelly (3), RHP Nick McCully (9), SS Jason Stidham (8), OF Kyle Conley (7)
Released: 2B Brett Lilley, OF Paul Cruz
Recalled: 2B Jarrett Hoffpauir
Added to 40-man roster: RHP Clayton Mortensen
Optioned to Triple-A: RHP Clayton Mortensen
Placed on 7-day DL: LHP Ian Ostlund, OF Daryl Jones
Reinstated from DL: 1B Andrew Brown, 2B Alex Castellanos
Reinstated from inactive list: LHP Kat Maekawa

Mateo signed out of the Dominican Republic for $3.1 million, establishing a bonus record for a hitter from Latin America. Ordinarily most transactions involving young Latin players aren’t reflected here, but Mateo is because the Cardinals (at least initially) assigned him to the Gulf Coast League. He won’t play until next season, however. Ben Badler has a scouting report for Mateo and 24 other top international prospects.

San Diego Padres
Signed: OF Valentino Pascucci
Draft pick signed: RHP Kendall Korbal (21)
Placed on restricted list: RHP Neil Jamison
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Jeremy McBryde, RHP Rolando Valdez
Reinstated from DL: RHP Carlos Guevara, OF Jaff Decker

San Francisco Giants
Recalled: RHP Kelvin Pichardo
Added to 40-man roster: RHP Ryan Sadowski
Optioned to Triple-A: 2B Matt Downs
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Billy Sadler
Placed on 60-day DL: RHP Kelvin Pichardo
Reinstated from DL: RHP Chance Corgan, RHP Kelvin Pichardo
Placed on temporarily inactive list: RHP Gary Moran, RHP Shingo Takatsu, RHP Kyle Vazquez, LHP Chris Gloor, LHP Brandon Graves, LHP David Quinowski, C Joel Weeks, 1B Luke Anders

Seattle Mariners
Signed: SS Alex Cintron, SS Jimmy Mojica (Pensacola (American Association))
Draft pick signed: LHP Brian Moran (7)
Released: RHP Adam Harben
Traded: OF Mike Morse to Nationals for OF Ryan Langerhans
Placed on suspended list: LHP Ryan Rowland-Smith
Added to 40-man roster: OF Ryan Langerhans
Optioned to Triple-A: 1B Mike Carp
Outrighted to Triple-A and removed from 40-man: C Jamie Burke
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Gaby Hernandez, RHP Marwin Vega, C Yamid Haad, OF Kalian Sams, OF Michael Saunders
Reinstated from DL: RHP Luis Pena, OF Mike Wilson
Reinstated from inactive list: RHP Jonathan Arias, LHP Ryan Rowland-Smith, SS George Soto, OF Marbin Beltre

Rowland-Smith, pitching for Triple-A Tacoma, served his suspension for unintentionally hitting Las Vegas’ Angel Sanchez in the head with a pitch.

Tampa Bay Rays
Draft picks signed: RHP Scott Shuman (19), RHP Matt Swilley (21)
Released: RHP Dewon Day
Optioned to Triple-A: RHP John Meloan

Meloan came to the Rays in a trade for Winston Abreu, the second time he’s been traded in a year. Last season, Meloan joined the Indians from the Dodgers organization (along with No. 1 prospect Carlos Santana) in the Casey Blake trade. (John Manuel)

Texas Rangers
Signed: SS Jurickson Profar, OF Chris Garia
Draft picks signed: RHP Andrew Doyle (4), 3B Tommy Mendonca (2)
Released: LHP Joe Torres
Recalled: RHP Tommy Hunter, OF Julio Borbon
Optioned to Triple-A: RHP Willie Eyre
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Kennil Gomez, RHP John Slusarz, OF Brandon Boggs
Reinstated from DL: RHP Jose Diaz, LHP Michael Kirkman

Both products of Curacao, Profar and Garia were just two pieces of the Rangers’ July 2 haul. As with the Cardinals’ Wagner Mateo, you can find a scouting report on Profar (and 24 others) here. Mendonca had a notorious 2008 season, setting a Division I record with 99 strikeouts while helping lead Fresno State to the College World Series championship. He was the CWS’ Most Outstanding Player. 

Toronto Blue Jays
Draft picks signed: RHP Ryan Tepera (19), LHP Aaron Loup (9)
Released: RHP Keith Meyer
Added to 40-man roster: OF David Dellucci
Optioned to Triple-A: LHP Brad Mills
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Randy Boone, RHP Brandon Magee, RHP Brian Wolfe, C J.P. Arencibia, 2B Scott Campbell, 3B Randy Schwartz, OF Buck Coats, OF Eric Thames
Reinstated from DL: RHP Dustin Antolin, OF Howie Clark, OF Travis Snider

Washington Nationals
Draft picks signed: RHP Brandon King (27), 2B Jeff Kobernus (2)
Released: LHP Wil Ledezma
Traded: OF Ryan Langerhans to Mariners for OF Mike Morse
Recalled: OF Lastings Milledge
Optioned to Triple-A: RHP Shairon Martis, OF Elijah Dukes
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Cory Doyne, 3B Matt Whitney, SS Yeurys Tejeda, OF Mike Vento
Placed on 60-day DL: SS Michael Taylor
Reinstated from DL: RHP Zech Zinicola, LHP Yunior Novoa, OF Lastings Milledge