This time: July 20-28

As always, be sure to visit two wonderful Baseball America resources: the Draft Database and Trade Central.

An asterisk (*) denotes an instance of a player agreeing to terms on a minor league contract with an organization with which he already had a major league agreement.

Arizona Diamondbacks
Released: RHP Saul Rivera
Traded: RHP Dan Haren to Angels for RHP Rafael Rodriguez, LHP Pat Corbin, LHP Joe Saunders and a player to be named
Optioned to Triple-A: RHP Rafael Rodriguez
Placed on temporarily inactive list: RHP Sammy de los Santos

Atlanta Braves
Signed: OF Jonathan Pigott (NDFA—Florida)
Released: 2B Alejandro Machado, OF Concepcion Rodriguez
Optioned to Triple-A: OF Gregor Blanco, OF Nate McLouth
Option transferred: OF Jordan Schafer (Triple-A to Double-A)
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Caleb Brewer, SS Diory Hernandez, OF Kyle Rose
Placed on 60-day DL: SS Jim Linger
Reinstated from DL: OF Cody Johnson, OF Kyle Rose
Placed on temporarily inactive list: RHP Erik Cordier
Reinstated from inactive list: RHP Erik Cordier, RHP Frank Lafreniere, RHP Andrew Wilson

Nate McLouth hit just .168/.279/.265 in 185 at-bats as the Braves' regular in center field this season. But on the bright side, his demotion to Triple-A cleared the way for Atlanta to send down struggling Gwinnett center fielder Jordan Schafer, who hit a mere .201/.255/.254 with only one home run in 189 at-bats. The 23-year-old Schafer still has time to turn things around, but perhaps not an excessive amount of time.

Baltimore Orioles
Released: OF Joey Gathright
Recalled: LHP Troy Patton
Removed from 40-man: 2B Scott Moore (Triple-A)
Optioned to Triple-A: LHP Troy Patton, C Craig Tatum, 3B Josh Bell
Placed on 7-day DL: C Zach Booker, C Caleb Joseph, C Jason Stifler, 1B Tyler Townsend, SS Blake Davis, OF Jacob Julius, OF Jeff Salazar
Placed on 60-day DL: RHP David Baker
Reinstated from DL: C Jason Stifler, 1B Brandon Snyder, OF Jeff Salazar
Placed on temporarily inactive list: C Kyle Moore, 1B Joel Guzman
Reinstated from inactive list: C Kyle Moore, SS Sammie Starr

Boston Red Sox
Signed: LHP Mike Hacker (San Angelo (United))
Released: RHP Randor Bierd, LHP Kason Gabbard
Acquired: 3B Jack Hannahan from Mariners for a player to be named or cash
Removed from 40-man: RHP Fernando Cabrera (Triple-A), 1B Aaron Bates (Triple-A), 1B Ryan Shealy (Triple-A)
Optioned to Triple-A: RHP Michael Bowden, C Dusty Brown, OF Daniel Nava
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Casey Kelly, RHP Santo Luis, RHP Adam Mills, C Juan Apodaca, 2B Argenis Reyes, OF Bubba Bell
Placed on 60-day DL: LHP Nestor Lastreto
Reinstated from DL: RHP Seth Garrison, RHP Ramon A. Ramirez
Reinstated from inactive list: C Will Vazquez

Chicago Cubs
Draft picks signed: RHP Bryce Shafer (49), OF Reggie Golden (2)
Released: LHP Dustin Sasser
Optioned to Triple-A: RHP Mitch Atkins, RHP Jeff Stevens
Placed on 7-day DL: LHP Scott Maine, LHP John Mincone, 3B Josh Vitters, OF Jim Adduci
Reinstated from DL: RHP Jeff Gray, LHP Jeff Antigua, LHP Dustin Sasser, OF Jason Dubois

Chicago White Sox
Released: RHP Ryan Ouellette
Voluntarily retired: SS Zach Kayne
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Greg Aquino, LHP Santos Rodriguez, OF Jordan Danks
Reinstated from DL: RHP Ricky Brooks, RHP Branch Kloess, RHP Matt Long, OF Jordan Danks, OF Ken Williams Jr.

Cincinnati Reds
Signed: RHP Jason Isringhausen
Released: RHP Raul Rodriguez, OF Sean Danielson, OF Gary Matthews Jr.
Recalled: RHP Carlos Fisher
Added to 40-man roster: RHP Jose Arredondo
Removed from 40-man: C Corky Miller (Triple-A)
Optioned to Triple-A: RHP Micah Owings
Reinstated from DL: RHP Jose Arredondo, LHP Tzu-Kai Chiu
Placed on temporarily inactive list: OF Sean Danielson
Reinstated from inactive list: OF Sean Danielson

Cleveland Indians
Placed on restricted list: RHP Luis Morel
Added to 40-man roster: RHP Josh Tomlin
Designated for assignment: 3B Wes Hodges
Optioned to Triple-A: RHP Jensen Lewis, OF Michael Brantley
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Robert Aviles, RHP Yohan Pino
Reinstated from DL: LHP Nick Hagadone

Colorado Rockies
Optioned to Triple-A: RHP Jhoulys Chacin
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Craig Baker, 1B Kiel Roling, OF Tyler Massey
Reinstated from DL: RHP Parker Frazier, RHP Josh Sullivan
Placed on temporarily inactive list: RHP Ching-Lung Lo
Reinstated from inactive list: RHP Ching-Lung Lo, LHP Kurt Birkins, LHP Brandon Durden, LHP Christian Friedrich

Detroit Tigers
Released: RHP Billy Buckner
Placed on restricted list: 1B Cesar Nicolas
Recalled: 2B Scott Sizemore
Added to 40-man roster: 1B Jeff Larish, 2B Will Rhymes
Designated for assignment: RHP Casey Fien
Removed from 40-man: RHP Casey Fien (Triple-A)
Optioned to Triple-A: RHP Casey Fien
Option transferred: SS Audy Ciriaco (Double-A to Triple-A)
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Nate Newman, RHP Brendan Wise, 3B Michael Bertram, SS Audy Ciriaco
Reinstated from inactive list: 2B Alden Carrithers

Nicolas tested positive for an amphetamine, thus the 50-game suspension and placement on the restricted list.

Florida Marlins
Released: RHP Bobby Holmes
Placed on restricted list: LHP Dan Jennings
Placed on suspended list: LHP Dan Jennings
Recalled: RHP Chris Volstad
Added to 40-man roster: RHP Jorge Sosa, C Brad Davis, 1B Logan Morrison
Designated for assignment: RHP Kris Harvey
Removed from 40-man: 3B Mike Lamb (Triple-A)
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Ryan Tucker, RHP Tim Wood, SS Terrence Dayleg, SS Chris Wade
Reinstated from DL: RHP Chris Leroux, RHP Jose Rosario, 3B Taylor Krick, OF Cameron Maybin, OF Lorenzo Scott
Reinstated from inactive list: LHP Dan Jennings

A Marlins' fifth-round pick from Long Beach State in ’04, Brad Davis got the call when big league backup Brett Hayes went on the disabled list. Davis collected two hits and threw out a basestealer in his debut, but minor league scouting reports suggest that you'll be seeing a lot more of the latter than the former. He's a solid catch-and-throw option if relegated to a backup role.

Houston Astros
Signed: LHP Kristian Bueno, 3B Kody Kirkland (Southern Maryland (Atlantic)), SS Chris Lovett
Released: RHP T.J. Burton, SS Michael Garciaparra
Traded: LHP Tyler Lumsden to Padres for future considerations
Recalled: LHP Fernando Abad
Designated for assignment: LHP Polin Trinidad
Removed from 40-man: RHP Casey Daigle (Triple-A), RHP Gary Majewski (Triple-A), LHP Polin Trinidad (Triple-A)
Optioned to Triple-A: RHP Chris Sampson, SS Oswaldo Navarro
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Sergio Perez, 2B Luis Maza, 3B David Flores, SS Marcos Cabral
Placed on 60-day DL: RHP Dayan Diaz
Transferred to 60-day DL: C Alfredo Gonzalez
Reinstated from DL: RHP Juri Perez, RHP Raul Rivera, RHP Jose Trinidad, 1B Chris Shelton, SS Michael Garciaparra
Placed on temporarily inactive list: RHP Josh Banks, RHP T.J. Burton, RHP Casey Daigle, LHP Evan Grills
Reinstated from inactive list: RHP T.J. Burton, RHP Casey Daigle, OF David Cook

Kansas City Royals
Signed: RHP Chase Boruff (NDFA—Carson-Newman (Tenn.)), RHP Edwin Carl (NDFA—New Mexico)
Traded: 3B Alberto Callaspo to Angels for RHP Sean O'Sullivan and LHP Will Smith
Traded: OF Scott Podsednik to Dodgers for RHP Elisaul Pimentel and C Lucas May
Recalled: RHP Bryan Bullington, OF Alex Gordon
Removed from 40-man: RHP Anthony Lerew (Triple-A)
Optioned to Triple-A: RHP Victor Marte, C Lucas May
Option transferred: OF Jarrod Dyson (Double-A to Triple-A)
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Eric Basurto, OF Shane Costa
Reinstated from DL: RHP Chris Chavez

Los Angeles Angels
Signed: RHP Ryan Vogelsong
Draft pick signed: OF George Barber (43)
Released: OF Julio Perez
Traded: RHP Sean O'Sullivan and LHP Will Smith to Royals for 3B Alberto Callaspo
Traded: RHP Rafael Rodriguez, LHP Pat Corbin, LHP Joe Saunders and a player to be named to Diamondbacks for RHP Dan Haren
Added to 40-man roster: RHP Michael Kohn
Removed from 40-man: OF Paul McAnulty (Triple-A)
Optioned to Triple-A: RHP Trevor Bell, RHP Matt Palmer
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Daniel Cabrera, RHP Jeremy Thorne, C Anel de los Santos, C Carlos Ramirez
Reinstated from DL: SS Andrew Romine

The Angels called up 24-year-old strikeout machine Michael Kohn after the reliever breezed through the system in two years, striking out 13.6 batters per nine innings along the way. His strikeout rates shrunk just a little at each level of the minors—falling form 14.6 per nine in low Class A to 13.5 to 12.3 to 10.4 in Triple-A—as more experienced hitters proved capable of timing his short-arm delivery. Still, Kohn throws a solid heater and has made startling progress. The ’08 13th-rounder pitched just 13 relief innings in college, having spent most of his time at College of Charleston as a heavy-hitting first baseman.

Los Angeles Dodgers
Signed: SS Juan Castro
Draft pick signed: RHP Steve Matre (39)
Released: OF Lenell McGee, OF Melvin Ray
Traded: RHP Elisaul Pimentel and C Lucas May to Royals for OF Scott Podsednik
Recalled: RHP Kenley Jansen
Added to 40-man roster: LHP Jack Taschner
Removed from 40-man: RHP Justin Miller (Triple-A)
Optioned to Triple-A: C A.J. Ellis
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Nathan Eovaldi, C J.D. Closser, OF Preston Mattingly
Reinstated from DL: RHP Eric Thompson, LHP Juan Perez, 1B Clay Calfee, 2B Tony Delmonico, OF Lenell McGee

Melvin Ray signed as the Dodgers' 33rd-round pick out of high school in ’08, but after hitting just .184/.233/.270 in 64 Rookie-level games, he wants to pursue football at the University of Alabama. He committed to UA in ’08 but did not reach academic requirements.

Milwaukee Brewers
Optioned to Triple-A: RHP Carlos Villanueva, OF Lorenzo Cain
Option transferred: RHP Jeremy Jeffress (high Class A to Double-A)
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Michael Fiers, RHP Andrew Sauter, C Michael Roberts, SS Steven Braun, SS Kyle Dhanani, SS Johnny Raburn
Reinstated from DL: LHP Mike Ramlow, C Angel Salome, 2B Eric Farris, 3B Joey Paciorek, SS Kyle Dhanani

Minnesota Twins
Released: RHP Kyle Necke
Recalled: C Jose Morales
Optioned to Triple-A: RHP Jeff Manship
Option transferred: SS Estarlin de los Santos (high Class A to Double-A)
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Brad Tippett, LHP Ryan Mullins
Reinstated from DL: RHP Brad Stillings, 2B Ramoncito Santana

New York Mets
Signed: RHP Chad Cordero, RHP Fernando Nieve*
Draft pick signed: OF Matt den Dekker (5)
Released: RHP Jose Bierd, LHP Angel Calero
Placed on suspended list: C Albert Cordero, SS Jordany Valdespin
Recalled: RHP Manny Acosta
Added to 40-man roster: 3B Mike Hessman
Removed from 40-man: RHP Fernando Nieve (Triple-A)
Optioned to Triple-A: 2B Justin Turner
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Samuel Martinez, LHP Derrick Ellison, C Kai Gronauer, 2B Andy Green
Reinstated from DL: RHP Brant Rustich, 3B Zach Lutz, OF Valentino Pascucci
Placed on temporarily inactive list: RHP Chad Cordero
Reinstated from inactive list: RHP Chad Cordero, C Albert Cordero, SS Jordany Valdespin

New York Yankees
Optioned to Triple-A: RHP Jonathan Albaladejo
Placed on 7-day DL: C Kyle Higashioka
Reinstated from DL: RHP Jairo Heredia, OF Austin Krum
Reinstated from inactive list: RHP Amauri Sanit

Oakland Athletics
Draft pick signed: 2B Ryan Pineda (28)
Released: 3B Christian Vitters
Recalled: LHP Cedrick Bowers
Optioned to Triple-A: LHP Cedrick Bowers
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Andrew Carignan, LHP John Halama, 2B J.C. Holt
Reinstated from DL: RHP Dan Sattler, C Joel Galarraga, 2B Jemile Weeks, SS Christian Vitters, OF Mitch LeVier

Philadelphia Phillies
Signed: RHP Tim Brown (Lincoln (American Association)), RHP Drew Erwin (NDFA—Nicholls State), 2B Cale Owen (NDFA—Flagler (Fla.)), OF Timo Perez, OF Bill Rice (NDFA—South Carolina-Aiken)
Released: RHP Chad Poe
Voluntarily retired: C David Doss
Recalled: RHP Kyle Kendrick, LHP J.A. Happ
Added to 40-man roster: RHP Vance Worley, OF Domonic Brown
Optioned to Triple-A: RHP Drew Carpenter, RHP Vance Worley
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Alexander Concepcion, 2B Adam Buschini
Placed on 60-day DL: 3B Luis Paulino
Reinstated from DL: RHP Ty Taubenheim, 2B Melvin Dorta, OF Leandro Castro, OF Bernardo Solarte

Pittsburgh Pirates
Signed: RHP Travis Chick (Camden (Atlantic))
Released: RHP Vinnie Chulk, RHP Hayden Penn
Recalled: RHP Steven Jackson, C Jason Jaramillo
Added to 40-man roster: LHP Wilfredo Ledezma
Optioned to Triple-A: RHP Brad Lincoln
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Anthony Claggett, RHP Brandon Holden, RHP Kyle McPherson, LHP Dana Eveland, 1B Brian Myrow, OF Gorkys Hernandez
Reinstated from DL: RHP Quinton Miller, 2B Shelby Ford, SS Doug Bernier
Reinstated from inactive list: RHP Vinnie Chulk, RHP Diego Moreno, RHP Hayden Penn

The Pirates released Vinnie Chulk and Hayden Penn so that they could pursue careers in Japan. Chulk signed with Hiroshima of the Central League, while Penn inked a contract with Lotte of the Pacific.

St. Louis Cardinals
Draft pick signed: LHP Tyler Lyons (9)
Released: RHP Gary Daley, SS Oliver Marmol
Released: OF Mark Shorey
Recalled: RHP P.J. Walters
Added to 40-man roster: RHP Mike MacDougal
Optioned to Triple-A: RHP Fernando Salas, RHP P.J. Walters, OF Allen Craig
Placed on 7-day DL: LHP Evan MacLane, C Ivan Castro, 1B Curt Smith
Reinstated from DL: RHP Casey Mulligan, LHP Anthony Ferrara, 2B Daniel Descalso
Placed on temporarily inactive list: OF Adron Chambers
Reinstated from inactive list: OF Adron Chambers

The book on Gary Daley coming out of Cal Poly read: big arm, poor command, no reliable offspeed pitch. In five years in the Cardinals system, the ’06 third-round pick grew to throw fringe-average breaking stuff at times, but his velocity backed up and sat mostly at 89-91 mph. Daley's command never budged, though—he ran up a 6.54 ERA while striking out 7.1 and walking 6.5 batters per nine innings as a pro. The 24-year-old made at least 10 starts in each season, but when it was all over he had been effectively shifted to the bullpen with Double-A Springfield, where he went 3-11, 6.70 this season, with an untenable 1.92 WHIP over 89 innings.

San Diego Padres
Signed: SS Nick Green
Signed: OF Wily Mo Pena (Bridgeport (Atlantic))
Released: C Brett Basham, 3B Jon Alia
Acquired: LHP Tyler Lumsden from Astros for future considerations
Optioned to Triple-A: OF Luis Durango
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Craig Italiano
Reinstated from DL: RHP Cesar Carrillo, OF Rico Noel
Reinstated from inactive list: RHP Drew Miller

San Francisco Giants
Signed: RHP Brandon Medders*
Recalled: RHP Joe Martinez, 3B Ryan Rohlinger
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Rafael Martinez, RHP Kyle Vazquez, LHP Eric Surkamp, LHP Dontrelle Willis, C Alex Burg
Reinstated from DL: RHP Steve Edlefsen, RHP Brandon Medders, LHP Kelvin Marte

Seattle Mariners
Draft picks signed: RHP Ben Versnik (38), OF Jabari Blash (8)
Released: RHP Joe Nelson, 1B Hector Mercedes
Traded: 3B Jack Hannahan to Red Sox for a player to be named or cash
Voluntarily retired: RHP Jean Tome
Recalled: LHP Luke French
Placed on 60-day DL: OF James Wood
Transferred to 60-day DL: RHP Josh Krist, RHP Leonardo Rodriguez
Reinstated from DL: RHP Mumba Rivera, RHP Jean Tome, 1B Dennis Raben, SS Jeff Dominguez
Placed on temporarily inactive list: RHP Marwin Vega, LHP Scott Ronnenbergh
Reinstated from inactive list: C Hector Mercedes

Tampa Bay Rays
Signed: 3B Junior Rodriguez (NDFA—Lee (Tenn.))
Draft picks signed: RHP Ian Kendall (5), RHP Parker Markel (39)
Released: RHP Kevin Chavez, LHP Joey Dettrich
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Alex Colome, RHP Matt Gorgen, LHP David Newmann, C Alvin Colina, 1B Matt Fields
Reinstated from DL: RHP Yorman Mayora, SS Omar Luna
Reinstated from inactive list: RHP Jeremy Hellickson

Junior Rodriguez did not sign as the Red Sox's 46th round pick out of high school in the ’06 draft. The Miami native earned NAIA All-America honors as a senior at Lee (Tenn.).

Texas Rangers
Draft pick signed: RHP Cody Buckel (2)
Recalled: C Taylor Teagarden
Placed on 7-day DL: SS Ralph Stoneburner
Reinstated from DL: RHP Joe Van Meter, C Vin DiFazio, C Alberto Puello, 3B Esteban German, SS Matt West

Toronto Blue Jays
Signed: OF Jason Lane (Southern Maryland (Atlantic))
Draft pick signed: 3B Kellen Sweeney (2)
Granted free agency: SS Nick Green
Recalled: LHP Brad Mills, 2B Mike McCoy
Removed from 40-man: RHP Rei Gonzalez (Double-A)
Optioned to Triple-A: LHP Marc Rzepczynski, 2B Mike McCoy
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Zach Outman, LHP Jo-Jo Reyes, C Alberto Quintana, 1B Brian Dopirak, 2B John Tolisano, SS Luis Sanchez
Reinstated from DL: LHP Zach Jackson, LHP Michael Kelly, C Yan Gomes, OF Daniel Perales
Placed on temporarily inactive list: C Raul Chavez
Reinstated from inactive list: C Raul Chavez

Washington Nationals
Placed on restricted list: RHP Shane Erb, SS Pedro Lopez
Recalled: RHP Luis Atilano, RHP Collin Balester, LHP Ross Detwiler
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Patrick Arnold, RHP A.J. Morris, RHP Zech Zinicola, LHP Jesse English, LHP Victor Garate, SS Ofilio Castro
Reinstated from DL: RHP Jimmy Barthmaier, RHP Pat Lehman, SS Wilberto Ortiz, OF Edgardo Baez
Placed on temporarily inactive list: LHP Cory VanAllen, OF Michael Burgess
Reinstated from inactive list: LHP Glenn Gibson, OF Michael Burgess

Yet another Nationals farmhand received a 50-game suspension for failing a drug test, though Pedro Lopez's roots in the system do not stretch back far. He signed with the organization in January. The other suspended players—Seth Bynum, J.R. Higley and Steven Souza—are Nationals through and through, as were Stephen Englund and Stephen King in ’09.