This time: Sept. 14-20
Previous installment: Sept. 7-13

We’re knee-deep in postseason prospect rankings and book editing projects, so the transactions blog will continue in a truncated form for the time being. We’ll continue to publish all the transactions, of course, but expect sporadic commentary. And keep in mind as you’re reading these posts that the information comes straight from MLB. If you see something that defies easy explanation, then that transaction may be a paperwork move, a formality carried out by the clubs.

Check out the Transactions Glossary for the key to deciphering the various inactive lists presented here.

Atlanta Braves
Released: LHP John Halama

Chicago Cubs
Released: RHP Ezequiel Astacio, LHP Ryan Sontag, C Juan Medina, 2B Jose Made, OF Glenn Cook, OF Jericho Jones, OF Jonathan Wyatt
Added to 40-man roster: OF So Taguchi
Reinstated from DL: RHP Jake Muyco, RHP Josh Whitlock, OF Brett Jackson

A 46th-rounder this year from Miami, Cook is notable because he’s (apparently) the first ’09 draft pick to hit the release wire.

Chicago White Sox
Signed: OF Luis Sierra (re-signed)
Reinstated from DL: RHP Josh Billeaud, RHP Gregory Infante, 1B Jorge Castillo, OF Lyndon Estill, OF Jared Mitchell, OF Kyle Shelton

Cincinnati Reds
Recalled: 3B Juan Francisco
Reinstated from DL: RHP Ramon Almonte, RHP James Avery, RHP Dallas Buck, RHP Scott Carroll, RHP Ben Davis, RHP Misael Dejesus, RHP Greg Dombrowski, RHP Daniel Guerrero, RHP Evan Hildenbrandt, RHP Jeff Jeffords, RHP Matt Klinker, RHP Kyle Lotzkar, RHP Derrik Lutz, RHP Junior Martinez, RHP Brodie Pullen, RHP Josh Ravin, RHP Clayton Shunick, RHP Jordan Smith, RHP Daryl Thompson, LHP Bill Bray, LHP Ismael Guillon, C Chris Kroski, C Devin Mesoraco, 1B Wes Bankston, SS Jake Kahaulelio, OF Kel Jones, OF Andrew Means
Reinstated from inactive list: LHP Blaine Howell

Cleveland Indians
Reinstated from DL: LHP Juan Lara

Detroit Tigers
Reinstated from DL: RHP Nick Cassavechia

Florida Marlins
Placed on temporarily inactive list: RHP Jarrett Santos

Houston Astros
Released: RHP Armando Benitez
Recalled: RHP Brad James, RHP Chris Sampson, LHP Polin Trinidad, 2B German Duran, 2B Jose Vallejo, OF Brian Bogusevic, OF Yordany Ramirez
Added to 40-man roster: RHP Chad Paronto
Reinstated from DL: RHP Brad James, 2B German Duran
Assigned to Arizona Fall League: RHP Evan Englebrook, RHP Chia-Jen Lo, RHP Wilton Lopez, RHP Danny Meszaros, C Jason Castro, 2B German Duran, OF Jon Gaston

Milwaukee Brewers
Recalled: RHP Mike Burns
Added to 40-man roster: RHP Josh Butler
Reinstated from DL: RHP Donovan Hand, LHP Brae Wright, 2B Kevin Melillo, OF Caleb Gindl
Reinstated from inactive list: RHP Jim Henderson, LHP David Welch, 2B Brett Lawrie
Assigned to Arizona Fall League: RHP Omar Aguilar, RHP Mark Rogers

Minnesota Twins
Assigned to Arizona Fall League: RHP Alex Burnett, RHP Steve Hirschfeld, RHP Mike McCardell, LHP Spencer Steedley, 2B Steve Singleton, OF Chris Parmelee

New York Yankees
Recalled: RHP Ian Kennedy, 1B Juan Miranda
Added to 40-man roster: OF Freddy Guzman
Designated for assignment: RHP Anthony Claggett
Reinstated from DL: 3B Cody Ransom

Oakland Athletics
Recalled: RHP John Meloan, RHP Henry Rodriguez, OF Travis Buck
Added to 40-man roster: OF Matt Carson

Philadelphia Phillies
Placed on 7-day DL: OF T.J. Warren

Pittsburgh Pirates
Signed: LHP Dusty Phillips
Assigned to Arizona Fall League: LHP Danny Moskos, LHP Tony Watson, SS Chase D’Arnaud, SS Brian Friday, OF Jose Tabata

Phillips appears to be a nondrafted free agent sign out of Choudrant (La.) High.

St. Louis Cardinals
Reinstated from DL: RHP Josh Dew, RHP Blake King, RHP Mark McCormick, RHP Scott McGregor, RHP Kyle Mura, RHP Francisco Samuel, LHP George Brown, LHP Sam Freeman, C Nick Derba, OF Antonio DeJesus
Reinstated from inactive list: 2B Jose Martinez

San Diego Padres
Recalled: RHP Ernesto Frieri, OF Luis Durango
Placed on 7-day DL: LHP Nick Greenwood
Reinstated from DL: RHP Dexter Carter, SS Drew Cumberland

San Francisco Giants
Placed on suspended list: RHP Trey Webb
Reinstated from DL: RHP Danny Otero, C Michael Ambort, 1B Angel Villalona, SS John Eshleman
Outrighted to Triple-A and removed from 40-man: RHP Osiris Matos
Reinstated from inactive list: SS Sharlon Schoop, Trey Webb

Seattle Mariners
Traded: C Jamie Burke to Nationals for cash
Reinstated from inactive list: RHP Michael Pineda

Tampa Bay Rays
Reinstated from DL: RHP Justin Garcia, LHP Ryan Owen, C Stephen Vogt, SS Shawn O’Malley

Texas Rangers
Draft pick signed: RHP Tanner Scheppers (1s)
Recalled: RHP Luis Mendoza, RHP Omar Poveda, C Max Ramirez, SS Joaquin Arias, OF Greg Golson

Being drafted from the independent leagues meant that Scheppers was not subject to the Aug. 17 signing deadline. He signed for $1.25 million. The Royals signed first-rounder Aaron Crow, also of the indy leagues, that same day. He signed a big league deal, so he doesn’t show up among these transactions.

Washington Nationals
Acquired: C Jamie Burke from Mariners for cash
Added to 40-man roster: C Jamie Burke
Outrighted to Triple-A and removed from 40-man: C Luke Montz