This time: March 22-28
Previous installment: March 16-21
See also: Transactions Glossary.

The asterisks (*) here denote instances of 40-man roster players who have agreed to terms on the minor league portion of their split major league/minor league contracts. These players are entitled to salary minimums dictated by baseball's Collective Bargaining Agreement. See our feature on minor league salaries for more.

With spring training just about over with, we're about to be beset with a storm of released players. The first wave hits in this installment.

Arizona Diamondbacks
Released: RHP Matt Elliott, RHP Daniel Vasquez, 2B Eli Rumler

Atlanta Braves
Signed: RHP Manny Acosta*, RHP Luis Valdez*, OF Gregor Blanco*
Released: RHP Cody Railsback, LHP Eric Barrett, LHP Derick Himpsl, LHP Clayton McMillan
Recalled: RHP Todd Redmond
Outrighted to Triple-A, removed from 40-man: RHP Todd Redmond
Optioned to Triple-A: RHP Manny Acosta, RHP Luis Valdez, OF Gregor Blanco

Atlanta cleared a path for right fielder Jason Heyard to make the big league team by removing Redmond from the roster. Because Redmond cleared waivers, the Braves will have him available for emergency situations as he heads back to Triple-A Gwinnett, where last year he went 9-6, 4.41 with 106-47 K-BB in 145 innings.

Baltimore Orioles
Signed: RHP Bob McCrory. 1B Michael Aubrey*
Optioned to Triple-A: 1B Michael Aubrey, 1B Rhyne Hughes, 1B Brandon Snyder, 3B Josh Bell
Optioned to Double-A: SS Pedro Florimon

McCrory signed a minor league deal with the Red Sox last November, only to have the contract rescinded after a failed physical. He's back with the organization that made him a fourth-round pick in ’03.

Boston Red Sox
Signed: RHP Wilson Matos, LHP Scott Schoeneweis
Released: RHP Dustin Mercadante, RHP Josh Papelbon, LHP Tyler Wilson, 2B Tom DiBenedetto, OF Reid Engel
Voluntarily retired: RHP Richie Lentz
Optioned to Triple-A: RHP Michael Bowden, RHP Ramon A. Ramirez, LHP Fabio Castro, 1B Aaron Bates

This is the other Ramon Ramirez who was sent to Pawtucket, the one claimed on waivers twice this offseason, once by the Rays and then by the Red Sox. If both Ramon Ramirezes eventually pitch in the same Boston bullpen, it will call to mind the ’00 Mets, who had both Bobby Jonses on their pitching staff. Now, if both Chris Youngs, both Tony Penas, both Josh Fieldses and both Ryan Brauns could all unite on the same team.

The ranks of pro Papelbons has thinned. Josh is Jonathan's little brother, of course, and with his release, only Jeremy remains on the minor league side. Both Josh and Jeremy (Cubs) entered pro ball as ’06 draft picks from North Florida. Even though they're twins, Jeremy is a lefthander.

A fifth-round pick from a Colorado high school in ’05, Engel played for Double-A Portland last season, batting .234/.310/.346 in 214 at-bats.

Chicago Cubs
Released: RHP Diego Encarnacion, RHP Robert Hernandez, RHP Jeff Kennard, RHP Kevin Kreier, RHP Josh Lansford, RHP Dionis Nunez, RHP Greg Reinhard, RHP Josh Whitlock, RHP Hank Williamson, 1B John Contreras, 2B Dwayne Kemp, 3B Jordan Petraitis, SS Robert Bautista, OF Kevin Soto, OF Sean Williams
Outrighted to Triple-A, removed from 40-man: RHP Mike Parisi
Optioned to Triple-A: RHP Jeff Gray, RHP Marcos Mateo, LHP John Gaub, OF Jim Adduci

The Cubs retained Parisi, a big league Rule 5 pick, for no compensation after he cleared waivers and the Cardinals opted not to fork over the $25,000 to get him back.

Among the wreckage can be found two ghosts of Trade Centrals past. Hank Williamson joined the Cubs in the Felix Pie trade, while Greg Reinhard was part of the bounty for J.K. Ryu.

Chicago White Sox
Signed: RHP Scott Elarton, 3B Javier Castillo
Released: RHP Kevin Asselin, RHP Ben Fritz, RHP Brett Graffy, RHP Jacob Marceaux, RHP Orber Moreno, LHP Matt Jernstad, C John Curtis, C Zach Larson, 1B Todd Gossage, 2B Jesus Avila, 3B Jose Fulgencio, OF T.J. Bohn, OF Kent Gerst, OF Sergio Morales, OF Joe Persichina
Optioned to Triple-A: RHP Carlos Torres, C Tyler Flowers

Cincinnati Reds
Released: RHP Michael Bohana, RHP Enrique Garcia, RHP Hector Santana, LHP Mark Pawelek, LHP Matteo Pizziconi, OF Stephen Chapman
Optioned to Triple-A: OF Chris Heisey

Cleveland Indians
Signed: RHP Justin Germano (SoftBank (Japan))
Released: RHP Eddie Burns, RHP Gary Campfield, RHP Jonathan Holt, RHP Mike McGuire, RHP Sung-Wei Tseng, LHP Ryan Miller, SS Jose Camargo, OF John Allman, OF Ryan Blair, OF Darling Read
Optioned to Triple-A: RHP Jess Todd

Germano, 27, pitched for SoftBank in Japan's Pacific League last year, going 5-4, 4.38 in 14 starts for the Fukuoka-based team.

Colorado Rockies
Signed: RHP Samuel Deduno*, RHP Esmil Rogers*, LHP Joe Beimel (re-signed)
Released: RHP Rod Scurry, LHP David Born, LHP Kyle Walker, C Austin Rauch, 3B Patrick Rose
Optioned to Triple-A: RHP Jhoulys Chacin, RHP Samuel Deduno

Detroit Tigers
Signed: OF Wilkin Ramirez*
Released: RHP Nick Cassavechia, RHP Andrew Hess, RHP Gary Perinar, 1B Chris Carlson, 1B Jason Stokes, 3B Joe Tucker, OF Ryan Patterson
Optioned to Triple-A: LHP Daniel Schlereth, OF Wilkin Ramirez

Florida Marlins
Signed: RHP Cristhian Martinez*, OF Jai Miller*
Released: RHP Skyler Crawford, RHP Rodolfo Encarnacion, RHP Jesse Foppert, RHP Mike MacDougal, RHP Wilson Matos, RHP Chris Mobley, RHP Sean Teague, RHP Brandon Todd, RHP Jermaine Van Buren, RHP Jared Yecker, LHP Ricardo Hernandez, 2B Jose Nunez, OF Justin Jacobs, OF Brandon McDougall
Optioned to Triple-A: RHP Chris Leroux, LHP Hunter Jones, LHP Andrew Miller, C Brett Hayes

Houston Astros
Released: RHP Casey Hudspeth, RHP Ben Paxton, RHP Jordan Powell, LHP Spencer Hylander, LHP Antonio Noguera, LHP Kirkland Rivers, 2B Craig Corrado, 2B Mike Diaz, 3B Gabriel Suarez, OF Sean Barksdale
Optioned to Triple-A: LHP Wesley Wright

Hudspeth, a fifth-round pick in ’06 from South Florida, pitched for Double-A Corpus Christi in each of the past two seasons. In that time he compiled a 5.88 ERA and 65-to-62 strikeout-to-walk ratio.

Kansas City Royals
Signed: RHP Rodolfo Encarnacion, OF Brawlun Gomez
Released: RHP John Bannister, RHP Pernell Halliman, LHP Carlos Rivas, 1B Alberto Espinosa, 3B Antonio Jimenez
Voluntarily retired: 2B Ben Tschepikow
Optioned to Triple-A: RHP Gaby Hernandez

Los Angeles Angels
Signed: RHP Rafael Rodriguez*
Released: RHP Juan Mateo, RHP Chad Orvella, RHP Michael Rocco, LHP Daniel Haigwood, C Ben Johnson, C Chris Rosenbaum

Los Angeles Dodgers
Released: RHP K.J. Childs, RHP Eric Gagne, RHP Daigoro Rondon, LHP Graham Miller, SS Angel Berroa, OF Brian Barton, OF Brandon Watson
Option transferred: RHP Kenley Jansen (Triple-A to high Class A)

Milwaukee Brewers
Signed: C Ben Johnson, 3B Adam Heether*, SS Luis Cruz*
Released: RHP Joel Morales, RHP Ryan Platt, LHP Donald Brandt, LHP Scott Schoeneweis, LHP David Welch, 3B John Delaney, 3B Jose Duran, SS Yohannis Perez
Traded: C Matt Treanor to Rangers for 3B Ray Olmedo
Traded: 3B Edgar Trejo to Mariners for cash considerations
Voluntarily retired: C Corey Kemp, OF Chris Ellington
Added to 40-man roster: OF Jim Edmonds
Optioned to Triple-A: RHP John Axford, RHP Josh Butler, 3B Adam Heether, SS Luis Cruz

Minnesota Twins
Signed: LHP Ron Mahay (re-signed), OF Luke Hughes*
Released: RHP Tom Wright, 2B Matt Gaski, OF Lee Bistagne
Optioned to Triple-A: 2B Matt Tolbert

New York Mets
Signed: OF Jason Pridie*
Released: RHP Travis Babin, RHP Steven Cheney, RHP Serguey Linares, RHP Mike Lynn, RHP Manuel Olivares, RHP Zach Rosenbaum, RHP Jake Ruckle, RHP Tim Smith, RHP Nick Waechter, C Rafael Arroyo, 1B Val Pascucci, 3B Tyler Vaughn, SS Jolbert Cabrera, SS Gered Mochizuki, OF Justin Garber, OF Josh Petersen, OF Caleb Stewart
Optioned to Triple-A: RHP Tobi Stoner, OF Nick Evans, OF Jason Pridie

New York Yankees
Signed: RHP Jonathan Albaladejo*
Optioned to Triple-A: RHP Jonathan Albaladejo, RHP Mark Melancon, 1B Juan Miranda, 2B Reegie Corona, 2B Kevin Russo, SS Eduardo Nunez, OF Greg Golson
Returned Rule 5 pick: OF Jamie Hoffmann (to Dodgers)

Miranda qualified for a fourth option year.

Oakland Athletics
Traded: SS Gregorio Petit to Rangers for RHP Edwar Ramirez
Optioned to Triple-A: RHP Vin Mazzaro, 1B Chris Carter

Philadelphia Phillies
Released: RHP Mark Doll, RHP Miguel Matos, RHP Angelo Sanchez, RHP Jason Standridge, LHP Walter Tejeda, LHP Bill White, 1B Gaby Martinez, SS Evan Porter, SS Jesus Villegas Andino, OF Javis Diaz, OF Carl Uhl
Optioned to Triple-A: LHP Mike Zagurski, OF John Mayberry Jr.

The Phillies tabbed the Twins' Sanchez in the minor league Rule 5 draft last December.

Pittsburgh Pirates
Released: RHP Brad Clapp, RHP Diomedes Garcia, RHP Edgar Gutierrez, RHP Papiro Juan, RHP Ricardo Paulino, RHP Rafael Quintero, LHP Andres Santos, C Jesus Aguilera, 3B Carlos Silva, OF Jeff Corsaletti, OF Gemmy Gonzalez, OF Ciro Rosero
Optioned to Triple-A: RHP Kevin Hart, RHP Chris Jakubauskas, 3B Neil Walker

St. Louis Cardinals
Signed: RHP Josh Kinney*
Released: RHP Jonathan Gonzalez, RHP Marco Gonzalez, RHP Reynier Gonzalez, RHP Tyler Lavigne, RHP Santo Maertz, RHP Yoffri Martinez, RHP Pedro Rodriguez, RHP Andres Rosales, RHP Randy Santos, RHP Adam Veres, RHP Charlie Zink, LHP Justin Fiske, LHP Brad Furnish, C Blake Murphy, 1B Matt Arburr, OF Edwin Gomez, OF Travis Mitchell
Optioned to Triple-A: RHP Adam Ottavino, C Matt Pagnozzi, SS Tyler Greene, OF Jon Jay

A second-round pick from Texas Christian in ’06, Furnish was undone by a 6.7 walks per nine innings rate last season. The 25-year-old racked up a combined 6.69 ERA in the high Class A Florida State League and Double-A Texas League.

San Diego Padres
Signed: RHP Radhames Liz*
Released: RHP Tyson Bagley, RHP Nick Hall, RHP Sean Heimpel, RHP Tom Porter, LHP Andrew Albers, LHP Allen Harrington, LHP Euclides Viloria, C Dylan Tonneson, C Kurt Wideman, 2B Brett Dowdy, 2B Keoni Ruth, 2B Kevin Winn, OF Chadd Hartman, OF Kyle Loretelli, OF Danny Putnam
Voluntarily retired: 3B Brayden Drake
Optioned to Triple-A: RHP Cesar Carrillo, RHP Ernesto Frieri, C Dusty Ryan, 2B Matt Antonelli, OF Aaron Cunningham, OF Luis Durango

San Francisco Giants
Released: RHP Chance Corgan, RHP Geivy Garcia, RHP Daniel Griffin, RHP Mike Loree, RHP Gary Moran, RHP Steve Palazzolo, RHP Ryan Shaver, RHP Donnie Smith, LHP Steve Hammond, LHP Paul Oseguera, C Todd Jennings, C Trent Kline, 2B Vladimir Frias, 3B David Maroul, OF Erold Andrus, OF Breland Brown, OF Dom Duggan, OF Bobby Felmy, OF Jonathan White
Optioned to Triple-A: RHP Joe Martinez, LHP Madison Bumgarner, OF Darren Ford
Optioned to high Class A: OF Francisco Peguero

Seattle Mariners
Released: RHP Colin Buckborough, RHP Brodie Downs, RHP Andres Esquibel, RHP Kyle Haas, RHP Matt Otteman, RHP Brad Reid, RHP Matt Renfree, RHP Kyle Witten, C Enmanuel Familia, C Alexis Fonseca, C Tommy Johnson, C Israel Nunez, C Josh Rodriguez, 3B Edgar Trejo
Acquired: 3B Edgar Trejo from Brewers for cash considerations
Optioned to Triple-A: 1B Mike Carp

Tampa Bay Rays
Released: RHP Jamie Bagley, RHP Jeff Cinadr, RHP Tyler Oakes, LHP Brian Flores, LHP Ryan Owen, SS Dan Rhault
Outrighted to Triple-A, removed from 40-man: 1B Dan Johnson
Optioned to Triple-A: OF Justin Ruggiano

Johnson played in Japan last year but signed a big league deal with the Rays last winter. He batted .231/.333/.385 in 26 at-bats this spring and lost his 40-man roster spot.

Texas Rangers
Signed: RHP Pedro Strop*, 2B Hernan Iribarren*
Traded: 3B Ray Olmedo to Brewers for C Matt Treanor
Traded: RHP Edwar Ramirez to Athletics for SS Gregorio Petit
Outrighted to Triple-A, removed from 40-man: 2B Hernan Iribarren
Optioned to Triple-A: RHP Brandon McCarthy, RHP Alexi Ogando, RHP Pedro Strop, LHP Derek Holland, LHP Michael Kirkman, OF Brandon Boggs, OF Craig Gentry

At just about the same time as the Iribarren outright, the Rangers struck a deal for defensive whiz Andres Blanco, who could satisfy the organization's desire for a backup shortstop.

Toronto Blue Jays
Signed: RHP Nick Purdy (NDFA—Hillsborough (Fla.) CC)), 1B Brian Dopirak*
Released: RHP Leon Boyd, RHP Celson Polanco, RHP Bob Zimmermann, LHP Edgar Estanga, OF Chris Emanuele, OF Joey Gathright

Drafted once each in ’07 and ’08, Purdy won over Toronto in a workout, and he has roots in Canada. He played for St. Mary's Secondary School in Cobourg, Ontario, and he is the rare player to be drafted twice out of high school.

Selected by the Mariners as an outfielder in ’07 (50th round), Purdy opted not to sign. But because he did not complete the necessary courses, he did not graduate that year, either. He headed back to St. Mary's in the fall of ’07 in order to make himself eligible for the ’08 draft. This time, he graduated, and the Royals tabbed him in the 36th round, but this time as a pitcher. Again, Purdy declined to sign. He was ruled ineligible to play junior college ball that fall because his paperwork was not in order, so he waited until January ’09 to take the field for Hillsborough CC. After the junior college season, Purdy played for the Ontario Blue Jays, a traveling club team, when the Blue Jays discovered him in Cocoa Beach, Fla.

Washington Nationals
Signed: RHP Mike MacDougal
Released: RHP Gary Amato, RHP Chris Lugo, RHP Nick Maness, RHP Carlos Peralta, RHP Osvaldo Rodriguez, LHP Mike Venafro, LHP Mike Wlodarczyk
Optioned to Triple-A: RHP Shairon Martis, OF Justin Maxwell

The Nationals made Wlodarczyk a minor league Rule 5 pick last December, taking him from the Rays.