This time: Aug. 11-19

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: C Zach Varnell
Optioned to Triple-A: RHP Rafael Rodriguez
Option transferred: RHP Bryan Augenstein (Double-A to Triple-A)
Placed on 7-day DL: C Alex Herrnberger, Cyle Hankerd

Atlanta Braves
Signed: RHP Jason Lowey (River City (Frontier))
Traded: RHP Ty'Relle Harris, RHP Robinson Lopez and LHP Jeff Lorick to Cubs for 1B Derrek Lee
Recalled: SS Brandon Hicks (twice)
Optioned to Triple-A: SS Brandon Hicks
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Jaye Chapman, RHP Vladimir Nunez, LHP Brett DeVall, 3B Joe Leonard
Reinstated from DL: OF Bobby Hefflinger, OF Kyle Rose
Reinstated from inactive list: C Clint Sammons

Jason Lowey went undrafted out of Mercer in ’07, but the 25-year-old represents a sound gamble by the Braves because of his premium velocity out of the bullpen. For much more on the three-time Frontier League all-star, please check out J.J. Cooper's independent audit on Lowey and the River City pitching pipeline.

Baltimore Orioles
Draft picks signed: RHP Jaime Esquivel (28), RHP Dan Klein (3), RHP Alex Schmarzo (48)
Recalled: RHP Rick VandenHurk
Optioned to Triple-A: OF Lou Montanez
Placed on 7-day DL: LHP Chris George, OF Danny Figueroa
Reinstated from DL: LHP Mike Hinckley
Placed on temporarily inactive list: C Phil Britton
Reinstated from inactive list: C Freuny Parra

Boston Red Sox
Released: 1B Ryan Shealy
Traded: C Michael Thomas to Rangers, completing deal in which Rangers traded C Jarrod Saltalamacchia to Red Sox for RHP Roman Mendez, 1B Chris McGuiness, cash and a player to be named
Recalled: RHP Michael Bowden, OF Daniel Nava
Optioned to Triple-A: LHP Dustin Richardson
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Casey Kelly, RHP Michael Lee, SS Drew Dominguez, OF Juan Carlos Linares
Reinstated from DL: SS Jose Iglesias
Placed on temporarily inactive list: C Michael Thomas
Reinstated from inactive list: RHP Jeremy Kehrt, 1B Aaron Bates

Chicago Cubs
Released: SS Matt Matulia
Traded: 1B Derrek Lee to Braves for RHP Ty'Relle Harris, RHP Robinson Lopez and LHP Jeff Lorick
Recalled: OF Sam Fuld
Added to 40-man roster: SS Darwin Barney
Optioned to Triple-A: 1B Micah Hoffpauir
Placed on 7-day DL: LHP Jeremy Papelbon, C Mark Johnson
Reinstated from DL: SS Matt Matulia, OF Jason Dubois

The Cubs youth movement is in full swing with the callups of Darwin Barney and Sam Fuld, two fine defensive players who didn't hit all that much with Triple-A Iowa. Still, a solid offensive core is taking shape with Starlin Castro, Geovany Soto, Tyler Colvin, Blake DeWitt and, coming next season, Brett Jackson.

Chicago White Sox
Signed: RHP Jeff Sues
Optioned to Triple-A: 1B Dayan Viciedo
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Matt Zaleski, 2B Luis Rodriguez, OF Kyle Colligan
Reinstated from DL: RHP Greg Aquino, OF Kyle Colligan, OF Trayce Thompson

Cincinnati Reds
Signed: RHP Zach Ward (Lake County (Northern))
Draft picks signed: RHP Drew Cisco (6), RHP Daniel Renken (25), RHP Chad Rogers (28), LHP Joel Bender (27), SS Brandon Dailey (34)
Placed on restricted list: RHP Zach Ward
Placed on suspended list: RHP Tyler Cline
Designated for assignment: RHP Micah Owings
Optioned to Triple-A: 3B Juan Francisco
Optioned to Rookie-level AZL: C Yasmani Grandal
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Jesus Delgado, RHP Evan Hildenbrandt, RHP Jason Isringhausen, 1B Tommy Nurre, OF Sean Conner, OF Andrew Means
Reinstated from DL: RHP Josh Ravin, SS Miguel Rojas, OF Yorman Rodriguez
Placed on temporarily inactive list: RHP Daniel Renken
Reinstated from inactive list: OF Justin Reed, OF Luis Terrero

This marks the third time the Reds have signed Zach Ward, previously drafting and signing him out of Gardner-Webb in ’05 (third round), releasing him and signing him again in July ’09 after the Twins were through with him. Cincinnati then released him at the end of spring training this season, leaving Ward to seek work in the Northern League.

Cleveland Indians
Draft picks signed: RHP Tony Dischler (23), C Alex Lavisky (8), 3B Tyler Holt (10), OF Mark Brown (19), OF LeVon Washington (2)
Released: RHP Wady Pinales
Optioned to Triple-A: RHP Jess Todd, OF Jordan Brown
Placed on 7-day DL: LHP Jeremy Sowers

Colorado Rockies
Draft picks signed: RHP Geoff Parker (9), RHP Peter Tago (1.5), C Will Swanner (15)
Placed on restricted list: 2B Omar Quintanilla
Recalled: RHP Jhoulys Chacin, 2B Eric Young Jr.
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Dan Houston, SS Hector Gomez
Reinstated from DL: RHP Samuel Deduno, LHP Wes Musick, 3B Travis Metcalf
Placed on temporarily inactive list: RHP Chris Malone, RHP Cory Riordan
Reinstated from inactive list: RHP Juan Rincon, LHP Keith Weiser, SS Radames Nazario

Omar Quintanilla tested positive for Methylhexaneamine, becoming one of eight domestic minor leaguers to garner a 50-game suspension during the July 28-Aug. 13 period. The offending stimulant is commonly found in the pre-workout supplement billed as "Jack3d".

Detroit Tigers
Draft picks signed: RHP Chance Ruffin (1.5), LHP Drew Smyly (2), 3B Nick Castellanos (1.5)
Released: LHP Gilbert de la Vara
Recalled: LHP Daniel Schlereth, 2B Will Rhymes
Optioned to Triple-A: OF Jeff Frazier
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Luis Marte, C Jeff Kunkel, OF Kody Kaiser
Reinstated from DL: RHP Nate Newman, RHP Brendan Wise, LHP Jade Todd
Placed on temporarily inactive list: C Andy Bouchie
Reinstated from inactive list: C Andy Bouchie

Florida Marlins
Draft picks signed: LHP James Wright (48), SS J.T. Realmuto (3)
Recalled: RHP Alex Sanabia
Optioned to Triple-A: LHP Taylor Tankersley
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Gabe Gonzalez, LHP Rob Rasmussen, C Jose Ceballos, 3B Taylor Krick, OF Jason Delaney
Reinstated from DL: RHP Jay Buente, RHP Albaro Estevez, RHP Brian Lawrence, RHP Chris Shafer, C Kyle Skipworth, OF Jose Duarte
Placed on temporarily inactive list: RHP Todd Doolittle, RHP Scott Strickland
Reinstated from inactive list: RHP Todd Doolittle

Houston Astros
Draft picks signed: RHP Krishawn Holley (39), OF Austin Wates (3)
Option transferred: SS Wladimir Sutil (Triple-A to Double-A)
Placed on 7-day DL: LHP David Duncan, LHP Thomas Shirley, LHP Wesley Wright
Reinstated from DL: RHP Evan Englebrook, RHP Sergio Perez
Placed on temporarily inactive list: RHP Jake Buchanan, 2B Jose Vallejo
Reinstated from inactive list: 1B Kody Hinze, 2B German Duran

Kansas City Royals
Draft picks signed: RHP Jason Adam (5), OF Brett Eibner (2)
Recalled: OF Jai Miller
Option transferred: RHP Brian Anderson (low Class A to Triple-A)
Reinstated from DL: RHP Tim Melville

Turns out, converted center fielder Brian Anderson might have a future as a reliever. In 12 1/3 innings this season, he has struck out 11 and walked four, while allowing just six hits. Granted, just two of those innings come at a level higher than Class A, but it's an encouraging first step for the 28-year-old, who reportedly sits in the mid- to upper-90s.

Los Angeles Angels
Signed: C Chris Hannick (NDFA—Sonoma State (Calif.))
Draft picks signed: RHP Justin LaTempa (12), 3B Kaleb Cowart (1), SS Kevin Moesquit (17), OF James Sneed (14)
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Matt Shoemaker, 2B Drew Meyer
Placed on 60-day DL: RHP Ryan Cisterna
Reinstated from inactive list: SS Luis Figueroa

Los Angeles Dodgers
Signed: RHP Edgar Gonzalez (Monterrey (Mexican))
Draft picks signed: RHP Derek Cone (31), OF Noel Cuevas (21), OF Devon Ethier (32), OF Joc Pederson (11), OF Scott Schebler (26)
Placed on restricted list: RHP Claudio Vargas
Placed on suspended list: RHP Scott Dohmann
Placed on 7-day DL: C Esteban Lopez, 3B Corey Smith
Reinstated from DL: RHP Charlie Haeger, C Esteban Lopez, SS Joe Becker
Reinstated from inactive list: RHP Scott Dohmann

Mexico native Edgar Gonzalez settled in the Mexican League long enough to make one start before the Dodgers signed him. The 27-year-old began the season with the LG Twins in Korea, where official stats are unavailable. But according to Gonzalez's Wikipedia page, he went 0-6, 7.68 for the Twins, bringing about his release.

Milwaukee Brewers
Draft picks signed: RHP Michael White (13)
Added to 40-man roster: RHP Mike McClendon
Placed on 7-day DL: 3B Cutter Dykstra
Reinstated from DL: LHP Chuck Lofgren

Minnesota Twins
Draft picks signed: RHP A.J. Achter (46), C Kelly Cross (26), C Mike Quesada (24), OF Kelvin Mention (36)
Released: 1B Whit Robbins
Recalled: RHP Jeff Manship
Optioned to Triple-A: C Jose Morales, 2B Matt Tolbert
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Matt Hauser, C Alex Soto, SS Toby Gardenhire
Reinstated from DL: RHP Liam Hendriks, RHP Brad Stillings, 1B Whit Robbins
Placed on temporarily inactive list: OF Matej Hejma

New York Mets
Signed: RHP Yhency Brazoban (Mexico City (Mexican))
Released: RHP Santiago Valdez
Recalled: RHP Ryota Igarashi (twice)
Added to 40-man roster: LHP Pat Misch
Optioned to Triple-A: RHP Sean Green, RHP Ryota Igarashi, LHP Raul Valdes
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Tobi Stoner, LHP Mitch Houck, 1B Travis Ozga, 2B Rylan Sandoval
Reinstated from DL: C Jordan Abruzzo, 2B Alonzo Harris
Placed on temporarily inactive list: RHP Jeff Walters, 2B Andy Green
Reinstated from inactive list: RHP Santiago Valdez

Yhency Brazoban pitched for both Minatitlan and Mexico City this season (after apparently taking ’09 off) and went 4-3, 2.22 while making 52 relief appearances. The 30-year-old struck out 81 and walked 30 over 73 innings, while ranking second among Mexican League relievers with 9.99 strikeouts per nine innings and fourth with a .215 opponent average.

New York Yankees
Signed: RHP George Isabel (NDFA—Northwood (Texas)), RHP David Triplet (Macon (Peach State))
Draft picks signed: RHP Daniel Burawa (12), RHP Taylor Morton (9), 3B Rob Segedin (3), OF Ben Gamel (10), OF Angelo Gumbs (2), OF Mason Williams (4)
Recalled: SS Eduardo Nunez
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Jason Hirsh, RHP Jose Ramirez
Placed on 60-day DL: OF Henry Pena

David Triplet pitched two innings for Windy City last year but did not appear for the Frontier League club this season. Update: He pitched for Macon in the Peach State League.

Oakland Athletics
Signed: RHP Gary Daley
Recalled: 2B Steven Tolleson, OF Travis Buck
Optioned to Triple-A: 1B Jeff Larish, OF Chris Carter
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Brett Hunter, RHP Tyson Ross, C Joel Galarraga
Placed on 60-day DL: RHP Andrew C. Bailey, RHP Michael Ynoa
Reinstated from DL: RHP Rob Gilliam

Dominican bonus baby Michael Ynoa had Tommy John surgery and will most if not all of ’11.

Philadelphia Phillies
Signed: SS Gabe Suarez (Newark (Atlantic))
Draft picks signed: RHP Jonathan Musser (21), RHP Kevin Walter (20), OF Brian Pointer (28)
Optioned to Triple-A: LHP Antonio Bastardo
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Brandon Duckworth, LHP Derrick Loop, LHP Joe Savery
Reinstated from DL: LHP Joe Savery

An ’07 first-round pick, Joe Savery will head to instructional league this fall with designs on becoming a full-time position player. Savery hit .353 while playing first base as a Rice junior, so if he makes the switch he'll join other recent two-way college standouts such as Brian Bogusevic, Micah Owings and Mike Stodolka to find at least equal success as a hitter after beginning pro life as a pitcher.

Pittsburgh Pirates
Draft picks signed: RHP Jameson Taillon (1), 1B Jared Lakind (23), SS Drew Maggi (15), OF Dan Grovatt (11)
Released: RHP Teddy Fallon, RHP Sandobal Septimo
Traded: RHP Travis Chick to Rangers for future considerations
Removed from 40-man: RHP Chris Jakubauskas (Triple-A)
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Bryce Weidman, C Tony Sanchez, 2B Adenson Chourio, OF Dan Grovatt
Reinstated from DL: RHP Travis Chick, RHP Casey Erickson, RHP Teddy Fallon, C Tony Sanchez, SS Greg Picart
Reinstated from inactive list: 2B Kevin Melillo

St. Louis Cardinals
Draft picks signed: RHP Tyrell Jenkins (1.5), LHP Justin Wright (47), 3B Zack Cox (1)
Placed on restricted list: RHP Chris Patterson
Placed on suspended list: RHP Chris Notti
Recalled: C Bryan Anderson, OF Nick Stavinoha
Optioned to Triple-A: RHP Fernando Salas, C Steve Hill, SS Tyler Greene
Optioned to Rookie-level GCL: 3B Zack Cox
Placed on 7-day DL: LHP Dean Kiekhefer, OF Tommy Pham, OF Ross Smith
Reinstated from DL: RHP Matt Scherer, LHP Evan MacLane, 1B Alan Ahmady, OF Michael Swinson
Placed on temporarily inactive list: 1B Mark Hamilton

San Diego Padres
Draft picks signed: RHP John Barbato (6), RHP Zach Cates (3), RHP Will Scott (32), OF Jose Dore (8)
Released: RHP Jason Adams
Recalled: RHP Ryan Webb
Option transferred: LHP Steve Garrison (Triple-A to high Class A)
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Mike Koplove, LHP Steve Garrison, LHP Nick Schmidt, C Mitch Canham
Reinstated from DL: LHP Steve Garrison, 2B Cole Figueroa
Placed on temporarily inactive list: C Adam Zornes

San Francisco Giants
Signed: RHP Adrian Martin (Long Island (Atlantic))
Draft picks signed: LHP Mike Kickham (6), OF Gary Brown (1), OF Brett Krill (25), OF Jarrett Parker (2)
Voluntarily retired: LHP Brandon Graves
Optioned to Triple-A: 2B Emmanuel Burriss
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Brandon Allen, RHP Michael Main, RHP Osiris Matos, RHP Reese Mcculley, RHP David Newton, C Aaron Lowenstein, SS Juan Ciriaco, SS Brandon Crawford
Reinstated from DL: RHP Michael Main, RHP Rafael Martinez, RHP David Newton, SS Brandon Crawford

Seattle Mariners
Signed: 2B Tug Hulett
Draft picks signed: RHP Ernesto Zaragoza (25), LHP Jordan Shipers (16), SS Marcus Littlewood (2)
Option transferred: RHP Dan Cortes (Double-A to Triple-A)
Placed on 7-day DL: OF Brandon Haveman
Reinstated from DL: RHP Nolan Gallagher, RHP Brandon Maurer, LHP Cesar Jimenez, OF Jarrett Burgess, OF Julio Morban
Placed on temporarily inactive list: RHP Yusmeiro Petit

Shifted to the bullpen in his third stab at Double-A, Dan Cortes finally put the level behind him by striking out 20 and walking four over his first 12 2/3 relief innings for West Tenn. More good stuff followed the 23-year-old to Triple-A Tacoma, where he struck out seven through 6 1/3 innings. Cortes always has shown an electric fastball, but little else came together for him—he went 5-4, 6.08 in 16 starts for the Diamond Jaxx this season.

Tampa Bay Rays
Signed: LHP Bobby Livingston
Draft picks signed: RHP Jesse Hahn (6), LHP Justin Woodall (26), C Jake DePew (9)
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Shane Dyer, RHP Justin Garcia, RHP Virgil Vasquez, LHP Carlos Hernandez, LHP David Newmann, LHP Heath Phillips, OF Fernando Perez
Placed on 60-day DL: RHP Jesse Hahn
Reinstated from DL: RHP Matt Bush, RHP Alex Colome, RHP Matt Gorgen, LHP Carlos Hernandez, SS Shawn O'Malley, OF Ryan Royster
Reinstated from inactive list: 2B Elliot Johnson

Texas Rangers
Signed: RHP Jesus Colome, RHP Clayton Hamilton, RHP Jorge Marban (NDFA—Florida International), OF Willy Taveras
Draft picks signed: RHP Justin Grimm (5), RHP Luke Jackson (1.5), RHP Steve McKinnon (32), RHP Nick Tepesch (14), OF Kendall Radcliffe (25)
Acquired: C Michael Thomas from Red Sox, completing deal in which Rangers traded C Jarrod Saltalamacchia to Red Sox for RHP Roman Mendez, 1B Chris McGuiness, cash and a player to be named
Acquired: RHP Travis Chick from Pirates for future considerations
Recalled: RHP Pedro Strop, LHP Derek Holland, OF Brandon Boggs
Optioned to Triple-A: RHP Pedro Strop
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Denny Peralta, RHP Elizardo Ramirez, RHP Aaron Thompson, RHP Joe Wieland, SS Erik Morrison, OF Craig Gentry
Reinstated from DL: RHP Tae Ahn, OF Engel Beltre
Placed on temporarily inactive list: RHP Nick Tepesch

A product of Penn State and native of Beaver Falls, Pa., Clayton Hamilton reportedly played in a semi-pro league in the Pittsburgh area prior to signing with the Rangers, the club that released him in spring training.

Toronto Blue Jays
Draft picks signed: RHP Myles Jaye (17), LHP Zak Adams (15), LHP Griffin Murphy (2), SS Dickie Joe Thon (5)
Recalled: LHP Jesse Carlson, LHP Marc Rzepczynski
Optioned to Triple-A: LHP Brad Mills, C J.P. Arencibia
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Henderson Alvarez, RHP Scott Richmond
Reinstated from DL: RHP Lance Broadway, RHP Travis Garrett
Reinstated from inactive list: RHP Kyle Drabek, RHP Zach Stewart

Washington Nationals
Signed: C Nolan Brannon, OF Jamar Walton
Released: LHP Ron Villone
Recalled: C Wilson Ramos
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Dan Leatherman, OF Justin Bloxom, OF Marvin Lowrance
Reinstated from DL: RHP Jason Jones, RHP Wanel Vasquez, LHP Mitch Clegg, SS Sean Nicol
Reinstated from inactive list: RHP Andrew Kown