This time: Aug. 3-8
Previous installment: July 26-Aug. 2

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.

Arizona Diamondbacks
Added to 40-man roster: OF Trent Oeltjen
Placed on 7-day DL: LHP Taylor Sinclair
Reinstated from DL: LHP Daniel Schlereth, 2B Guillermo Reyes

Atlanta Braves
Signed: 3B Chris Curley (NDFA—Campbellsville (Ky.))
Optioned to Triple-A: RHP Buddy Carlyle
Placed on 7-day DL: LHP Francisley Bueno, SS Chad Lundahl
Reinstated from DL: RHP Stephen Marek, 3B Adam Coe

Baltimore Orioles
Released: C Linares Ford, OF Kraig Binick
Recalled: LHP Brian Matusz
Added to 40-man roster: C Chad Moeller
Optioned to Triple-A: RHP Kam Mickolio
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP John Mariotti
Reinstated from DL: C Guillermo Rodriguez

Because of his advanced command, Matusz, the fourth overall pick in ’08, seemed like a safe bet to fly through the minors. So if you took the under on 20 minor league starts, then pat yourself on the back. The 22-year-old Matusz began in high Class A Frederick (2.16 ERA, 3.57 SO-to-BB) and improved in Double-A (1.55 ERA, 4.18 SO-to-BB), going a combined 11-2, 1.91 in 19 starts. The big leagues presented a new challenge, however. Through two starts, Matusz had allowed six runs, 13 hits (three homers) and five walks over 7 2/3 innings.

Boston Red Sox
Released: C Carlos Maldonado
Recalled: RHP Junichi Tazawa, OF Josh Reddick
Added to 40-man roster: RHP Enrique Gonzalez, LHP Billy Traber
Optioned to Triple-A: OF Josh Reddick
Outrighted to Triple-A and removed from 40-man: 2B Travis Denker
Designated for assignment: SS Gil Velazquez
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Ryan Pressly, LHP Tommy Hottovy, C John Otness, 1B Anthony Rizzo, OF Reid Engel
Reinstated from DL: RHP Robert Coello, RHP Richie Lentz, RHP Wang-Yi Lin, C Carlos Maldonado, 2B Aaron Reza, OF Sean Danielson
Reinstated from inactive list: RHP Fernando Cabrera, C Ty Weeden

Tazawa cruised through 20 minor league starts this season (9-7, 2.55, 3.48 SO-to-BB over 109 innings), his first in the U.S. after signing with Boston last winter. He even worked a scoreless inning of relief in his big league debut. Unfortunately, he served up a 15th-inning walk-off home run to Alex Rodriguez in his second. It was an unenviable spot for the 23-year-old rookie—last reliever standing in an extra-inning game at Yankee Stadium.

Chicago Cubs
Released: RHP Joe Simokaitis, LHP Daley Cox, LHP B.J. Ryan, LHP Jason Waddell
Recalled: RHP Jeff Stevens, LHP Tom Gorzelanny
Optioned to Triple-A: RHP Jeff Stevens, 1B Micah Hoffpauir
Placed on 7-day DL: C Tarlandas Mitchell, OF Chris Weimer
Reinstated from DL: RHP Jacob Schmidt, 2B Luis Rivas, OF Brad Snyder

Chicago White Sox
Signed: RHP Dylan Axelrod (Windy City (Frontier)), RHP Jarrett Coker (NDFA—Columbus State (Ga.)), RHP Greg Johnson (NDFA—South Alabama)
Draft pick signed: RHP Taylor Thompson (44)
Released: OF Dallas Williams
Traded: 1B Daryle Ward and OF Norris Hopper to Nationals for cash
Recalled: RHP Carlos Torres
Optioned to Triple-A: RHP Jhonny Nunez
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Josh Billeaud, RHP Lucas Harrell
Reinstated from DL: RHP Ryan Rote, RHP John Van Benschoten, C Adam Ricks

Cincinnati Reds
Released: C Brian Peterson
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Scott Carroll, RHP Scott Gaffney, LHP Philippe Valiquette
Reinstated from DL: SS Jose Castro

Cleveland Indians
Placed on suspended list: LHP Ryan Miller
Granted free agency: RHP Winston Abreu
Recalled: RHP Jess Todd, LHP Rafael Perez
Outrighted to Triple-A and removed from 40-man: RHP Winston Abreu, LHP Mike Gosling

Colorado Rockies
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Ryan Speier, RHP Matt Wilhite, LHP Xavier Cedeno, C Sal Fasano, 2B Mark Bellhorn
Reinstated from DL: RHP Bruce Billings, RHP Jon George
Reinstated from inactive list: RHP Brandon Hynick

Detroit Tigers
Draft pick signed: 3B Edgar Corcino (26)
Placed on restricted list: LHP Josh Kite
Recalled: RHP Chris Lambert, OF Wilkin Ramirez
Added to 40-man roster: C Alex Avila
Optioned to Triple-A: RHP Casey Fien, C Dusty Ryan, OF Wilkin Ramirez
Option transferred: RHP Zach Simons (Triple-A to Double-A)
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Scott Green, RHP Cody Satterwhite, LHP Matt Hoffman, 3B Bryan Pounds
Reinstated from DL: LHP Josh Kite, 2B Maxwell Leon, OF Chao-Ting Tang

Seeking a shot in the arm at a position where they’ve apparently been vaccinated repeatedly, the Tigers turned to the 22-year-old Avila, a fifth-round pick out of Alabama just a year ago. Since drafting him, the Tigers have thrown the lefty-hitting catcher into the deep end, shipping him off to low Class A West Michigan after signing him and then jumping him straight to Double-A to begin this season. He held up well. Avila, who is the son of Tigers’ assistant GM Al, batted .280/.372/.424 in 542 at-bats prior to his callup, all while showing power (13 homers, 37 doubles) and patience (79 walks). He homered in his first big league game, while going 4-for-his-first-8 and driving in five runs in two games. Avila can’t keep up that pace (can he?), but he can cool considerably and still out-hit Detroit’s previous catching tandem, Gerald Laird (.656 OPS) and Dusty Ryan (.476).

Florida Marlins
Released: SS Manny Mayorson
Recalled: RHP Tim Wood, LHP Graham Taylor, LHP Sean West
Optioned to Triple-A: RHP Luis Ayala
Outrighted to Double-A and removed from 40-man: LHP Graham Taylor
Outrighted to Triple-A and removed from 40-man: SS Andy Gonzalez
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Jon Fulton, RHP Ryan Tucker, C Andrew Jenkins, C Kyle Skipworth, 2B Jake Smolinski, OF Kevin Mattison, OF Cameron Maybin, OF Michael Ryan, OF Sequoyah Stonecipher
Reinstated from DL: RHP Willie Glen, 1B Ricky Orton, SS Smelin Perez, OF Tom Hickman, OF Hunter Mense
Placed on temporarily inactive list: LHP Jay Voss

Houston Astros
Signed: RHP Kirk Clark (NDFA—Creighton), RHP Abraham Gonzalez
Placed on suspended list: RHP Tio McLean
Placed on restricted list: OF Mitch Einertson
Recalled: RHP Felipe Paulino
Optioned to Triple-A: RHP Samuel Gervacio, RHP Felipe Paulino
Placed on 7-day DL: C Federico Hernandez
Reinstated from DL: LHP German Perez, 3B David Flores

Einertson, 23, had been plodding along in his repeat of the Double-A Texas League, batting a pedestrian .250/.321/.389 in 288 at-bats. But that came to an end abruptly when it was announced that he had been suspended for 50 games, ending his season. Einertson twice failed a test for a drug of abuse.

Kansas City Royals
Recalled: RHP Kyle Davies
Placed on 7-day DL: C Sean McCauley

Los Angeles Angels
Recalled: RHP Jose Arredondo, RHP Sean O’Sullivan
Optioned to Triple-A: C Bobby Wilson, 2B Sean Rodriguez
Placed on 7-day DL: 2B Jean Segura, SS Luis Figueroa, OF Val Majewski
Placed on 60-day DL: RHP Matt Oye
Reinstated from DL: 2B Ivan Contreras, OF Roberto Lopez

Los Angeles Dodgers
Acquired: RHP Harvey Garcia from Pirates for future considerations
Recalled: 2B Tony Abreu
Optioned to Triple-A: RHP Cory Wade, LHP Scott Elbert
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Travis Chick, RHP Eric Krebs, RHP Kyle Smit, LHP Marlon Arias, 2B Tony Delmonico, SS Justin Sellers, OF Jovanny Rosario
Reinstated from DL: RHP Blake Brannon, C Fumimasa Ishibashi, C Mike Rose, 2B Luis Maza, 3B Hector Luna, SS Justin Fuller, OF Ramon Nivar

Milwaukee Brewers
Signed: OF Corey Patterson
Draft pick signed: LHP Del Howell (15)
Recalled: 3B Bill Hall
Added to 40-man roster: RHP Jesus Colome
Option transferred: RHP Nick Green (Triple-A to Double-A)
Placed on 7-day DL: SS John Delaney, OF Caleb Gindl
Reinstated from inactive list: RHP Ryan Houston, RHP Tom Wilhelmsen

Minnesota Twins
Optioned to Triple-A: RHP R.A. Dickey
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Alex Burnett, LHP Jose Lugo, 3B Tommy Watkins
Reinstated from DL: RHP Jay Rainville, SS Alejandro Machado, OF Adan Severino

New York Mets
Draft pick signed: RHP Taylor Whitenton (39)
Traded: 2B Greg Veloz to Nationals for 2B Anderson Hernandez
Added to 40-man roster: RHP Elmer Dessens, RHP Nelson Figueroa
Optioned to Triple-A: LHP Pat Misch, C Robinson Cancel
Outrighted to Triple-A and removed from 40-man: RHP Elmer Dessens
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Michael Johnson, OF Rafael Fernandez, OF Cody Holliday
Reinstated from DL: OF Scott Grimes

New York Yankees
Signed: RHP Russ Ortiz, C Brian Peterson
Released: RHP Jason Johnson
Recalled: RHP Anthony Claggett, SS Ramiro Pena
Added to 40-man roster: RHP Josh Towers
Optioned to Triple-A: RHP Anthony Claggett, RHP Mark Melancon
Outrighted to Triple-A and removed from 40-man: 3B Cody Ransom
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Paul Bush, RHP Tim Norton, RHP Luke Prihoda, C Kyle Anson, C Francisco Cervelli, C Jesus Montero, 1B Robert Lyerly, 3B Mitch Hilligoss
Reinstated from DL: RHP Jason Johnson, RHP Hector Noesi, RHP Brett Smith, LHP Edwin Walker
Placed on temporarily inactive list: RHP Humberto Sanchez

A fractured middle finger brought Montero’s regular season to an end. It’s a shame, because he had been a strong contender for Minor League Player of the Year.

Oakland Athletics
Signed: RHP Brett Tomko, 1B Kala Ka’aihue (York (Atlantic))
Released: RHP Jimmy Shull
Recalled: RHP Jeff Gray, RHP Clayton Mortensen, OF Aaron Cunningham
Added to 40-man roster: RHP Chad Reineke
Optioned to Triple-A: RHP Chad Reineke, 2B Eric Patterson
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Rocky Roquet, RHP Chris Schroder, RHP Justin Souza
Reinstated from DL: RHP Jimmy Shull, SS Mike Affronti, SS Nino Leyja

Philadelphia Phillies
Draft picks signed: RHP Steven Inch (6), LHP Ryan Bollinger (47)
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Tyson Brummett, LHP Jared Simon, 3B Orlando Guevara, SS Harold Garcia
Reinstated from DL: LHP Walter Tejeda, C Luis Ramon Arzeno, SS Jesus Villegas Andino
Reinstated from inactive list: 2B Pablo Ozuna

Ozuna returns from his 50-game suspension for an elevated testosterone/epitestosterone ratio.

Pittsburgh Pirates
Released: RHP Jose A. Diaz, RHP Yoffri Martinez, RHP Justin Vaclavik, LHP Chi-Hung Cheng
Traded: RHP Harvey Garcia to Dodgers for future considerations
Traded: RHP Mike Koplove to Mariners for 2B Deybis Benitez
Placed on suspended list: RHP Bryan Morris
Recalled: RHP Jose Ascanio, RHP Steven Jackson
Added to 40-man roster: RHP Chris Bootcheck
Optioned to Triple-A: RHP Steven Jackson
Placed on 7-day DL: LHP Daniel Moskos, C Milver Reyes, 2B Ciro Rosero, 3B Carlos Silva
Reinstated from DL: RHP Jose Diaz, Jared Hughes, RHP Justin Vaclavik, LHP Chi-Hung Cheng, LHP Daniel Moskos, LHP Andres Santos, C Steve Lerud, SS Chase D’Arnaud

Morris, a key piece to the Manny Ramirez-Jason Bay three-team deal last July, has taken up indefinite residence on the Bucs’ suspended list. The Pirates have cited an "unprofessional" and "disrespectful" approach as the reason. In the midst of a difficult season with high Class A Lynchburg, the 22-year-old Morris was 2-6, 5.91 with 21 strikeouts and 19 walks in 45 2/3 innings.

On a happier note, Bootcheck provided real value as a minor league free agent sign. The 30-year-old righthander saved 20 games for Triple-A Indianapolis prior to his callup, striking out 55 batters and walking just seven in 42 2/3 innings. Fellow MiLB FA import Garrett Jones still hasn’t cooled in Pittsburgh. The corner outfielder/first baseman was batting .291/.354/.642 with 12 homers in 34 games for the big league squad.

St. Louis Cardinals
Released: RHP Jose Arredondo, RHP Omar Javier, RHP Dan Richardson, LHP Kat Maekawa, 2B Casey Rowlett, OF Jairo Martinez
Recalled: 3B Brian Barden
Outrighted to Triple-A and removed from 40-man: 3B Brian Barden
Option transferred: 3B David Freese (Double-A to Triple-A)
Placed on 7-day DL: LHP Ian Ostlund, C Blake Murphy, OF Matt Arburr, OF Mark Shorey
Reinstated from DL: LHP Kat Maekawa

San Diego Padres
Released: RHP John Hudgins, RHP Brian Lawrence, RHP Mark Prior, LHP Scott Rice
Recalled: RHP Ryan Webb
Optioned to Triple-A: RHP Adam Russell, LHP Aaron Poreda
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Mike DeMark
Placed on 60-day DL: RHP Kendall Korbal, LHP Andrew Albers
Reinstated from DL: RHP Will Inman, RHP Mark Prior, LHP Steve Garrison, LHP Cory Luebke, LHP Cesar Ramos, 2B Russ Adams, 2B Matt Antonelli

A San Diego native, Prior never did take the hill for the Padres. Signed in December ’07 after being non-tendered by the Cubs, he spent all of last season and the first four months of this one on the shelf. Prior hasn’t thrown a pitch in the big leagues since Aug. 10, 2006, but, somewhat unbelievably, he’s still just 28 years old (for another month).

San Francisco Giants
Recalled: RHP Henry Sosa
Optioned to Triple-A: RHP Waldis Joaquin, OF John Bowker
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Justin Fitzgerald, LHP Ben Snyder, OF Joe Borchard
Placed on 60-day DL: RHP Henry Sosa
Reinstated from DL: RHP Rafael Cova, RHP Henry Sosa

Seattle Mariners
Released: LHP Greg Moviel
Traded: 2B Deybis Benitez to Pirates for RHP Mike Koplove
Granted free agency: RHP Roy Corcoran
Added to 40-man roster: RHP Doug Fister
Optioned to Triple-A: LHP Jason Vargas
Outrighted to Triple-A and removed from 40-man: RHP Roy Corcoran, 1B Chris Shelton
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Josh Fields, SS Jimmy Mojica, SS Scott Savastano, OF Denny Almonte
Reinstated from DL: RHP Philip Roy, LHP Robert Rohrbaugh, SS Juan Diaz, OF Ezequiel Carrera
Placed on temporarily inactive list: RHP Brodie Downs

Tampa Bay Rays
Signed: RHP Joe Nelson
Draft pick signed: RHP Marcus Proctor (30)
Released: RHP Matt DeSalvo, RHP Jorge Julio, RHP Wade Townsend, C Christian Lopez, OF Ray Sadler
Optioned to Triple-A: RHP Joe Nelson, LHP R.J. Swindle
Designated for assignment: RHP John Meloan, LHP R.J. Swindle
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Alex Cobb, C Shawn Riggans
Reinstated from DL: RHP Wade Townsend
Reinstated from inactive list: OF Justin Ruggiano

How might Townsend’s career have transpired had he come to terms with the Orioles, who took him out of Rice with the eighth overall pick in ’04? Instead, he sat out a year and thus never got into game shape heading into the ’05 draft. Undeterred, Tampa Bay took him in exactly the same slot and signed him for $1.5 million. Townsend, though, missed all of ’06 after having Tommy John surgery, and his minor league ERA stands at 5.58 through 211 innings.

Texas Rangers
Recalled: RHP Doug Mathis, OF Julio Borbon
Added to 40-man roster: RHP Neftali Feliz, 3B Esteban German
Optioned to Triple-A: RHP Warner Madrigal
Designated for assignment: RHP John Bannister
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Jose R. Diaz
Reinstated from DL: RHP Clayton Hamilton

Feliz produced solid results as a starter for Triple-A Oklahoma City (3.86 ERA, 55-to-27 SO-to-BB in 61 innings), but he didn’t take off until a move to the bullpen in late June. In 12 appearances since the conversion, the 21-year-old Feliz struck out 20 and walked just three in 16 2/3 innings.

Toronto Blue Jays
Signed: LHP Bryan Dumesnil, LHP Wilfredo Ledezma
Released: LHP Troy Cate
Recalled: RHP Jeremy Accardo

Washington Nationals
Traded: 2B Anderson Hernandez to Mets for 2B Greg Veloz
Acquired: 1B Daryle Ward and OF Norris Hopper from White Sox for cash
Placed on restricted list: SS Ofilio Castro, OF Edgardo Baez
Recalled: RHP Saul Rivera
Added to 40-man roster: OF Jorge Padilla
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Martin Beno
Reinstated from DL: SS Adrian Sanchez