This time: Sept. 15-26

It's the time of year that all 30 organizations begin getting their houses in order for the offseason. So much of what you see here will be mere formality—players being recalled to the big leagues, players being re-signed on minor league deals, players being reinstated from the disabled list, etc.

Arizona Diamondbacks
Released: RHP Robbie Andrews
Removed from 40-man: RHP Cesar Valdez (Triple-A)

Atlanta Braves
Recalled: SS Brandon Hicks
Added to 40-man roster: RHP Brandon Beachy
Reinstated from DL: SS Brandon Hicks

Desperate for a starter to replace the injured Jair Jurrjens, the Braves turned to 24-year-old Brandon Beachy, the minor league ERA champ, to start a crucial game in Philadelphia on Sept. 20. But Beachy hadn't started a game since Sept. 3, when he pitched six shutout innings for Triple-A Gwinnett. He was understandably rusty in pitching 4 1/3 innings against the stout Phillies and allowing three runs (but only one earned). Beachy struck out nine Nationals in start No. 2, but he remains winless despite his 2.89 ERA over 9 1/3 innings.

Baltimore Orioles
Reinstated from DL: RHP David Baker, RHP Pedro Beato, RHP Jake Cowan, RHP Brandon Erbe, RHP Randy Henry, RHP Luis Lebron, RHP Mick Mattaliano, RHP Cla Meredith, RHP Andy Mitchell, RHP Ryan Palsha, RHP Thomas Phelps, RHP Jean Carlos Reyes, RHP Chorye Spoone, LHP Brandon Holloway, C Justin Dalles, C Jason Stifler, C Jordan Wolf, 2B Mike Mooney, 3B Mike Flacco, 3B Tyler Henson, 3B Tyler Kolodny, 3B Matt Tucker, OF Steve Bumbry, OF Brian Conley, OF Jacob Julius, OF Kieron Pope, OF Robbie Widlansky
Reinstated from inactive list: RHP Ryan Berry, RHP Josh Dowdy, LHP Nathan Moreau

Boston Red Sox
Reinstated from DL: RHP Randy Consuegra, RHP Bryce Cox, RHP Jennell Hudson, RHP Casey Kelly, RHP Michael Lee, RHP Leandro Marin, RHP Ryne Miller, RHP Kelvin Pichardo, RHP Pete Ruiz, RHP Kyle Stroup, RHP Felix Ventura, RHP Doug Wogee, LHP Michael Bugary, LHP Nestor Lastreto, C Leonel Escobar, 1B Carlos Delgado, 2B Ray Chang, OF Chih-Hsien Chiang, OF Zach Daeges, OF Pete Hissey, OF David Mailman, OF Jason Place, OF Ryan Westmoreland
Reinstated from inactive list: C Jon Still

Chicago Cubs
Designated for assignment: RHP Mitch Atkins
Removed from 40-man: RHP Mitch Atkins (Triple-A)
Optioned to Double-A: RHP Esmailin Caridad
Reinstated from DL: RHP Rafael Dolis, RHP Ty'Relle Harris, RHP Mike Parisi, RHP Melvin Rosa, LHP Chris Rusin, 3B Scott McClain, 3B Josh Vitters

Chicago White Sox
Signed: C Luis Sierra (re-signed)
Released: RHP Jon Adkins
Reinstated from DL: RHP Justin Cassel, RHP Nevin Griffith, RHP Phil Negus, RHP Dan Remenowsky, RHP Derek Rodriguez, RHP Charlie Shirek, RHP Danny Wiltz, LHP Santos Rodriguez, OF A.J. Casario, OF Nick Ciolli, OF Kyle Colligan, OF Jared Mitchell, OF Miguel Negron
Reinstated from inactive list: RHP Greg Aquino, RHP Leroy Hunt, OF Brady Shoemaker

Cincinnati Reds
Signed: OF Denis Phipps (re-signed)
Reinstated from DL: RHP Federico Baez, RHP Dallas Buck, RHP Jesus Delgado, RHP Scott Gaffney, RHP Evan Hildenbrandt, RHP Jason Isringhausen, RHP Justin Lehr, RHP Derrik Lutz, RHP Brian Pearl, RHP Mark Serrano, RHP Juan Carlos Sulbaran, LHP Matt Fairel, LHP Aguido Gonzalez, LHP Mace Thurman, 2B Alex Buchholz, 3B Miguel Chacoa, OF Andrew Means
Reinstated from inactive list: RHP Tyler Cline, RHP Lucas O'Rear, OF Luis Terrero

Cleveland Indians
Traded: OF Roman Pena to Dodgers for OF Preston Mattingly
Recalled: LHP Aaron Laffey
Added to 40-man roster: RHP Vinnie Pestano, C Luke Carlin
Optioned to Triple-A: OF Chad Huffman
Reinstated from DL: RHP Clayton Cook, RHP Jason Grilli, RHP Antwonie Hubbard, RHP Adam Miller, RHP Hector Rondon, RHP Danny Salazar, RHP Nick Sarianides, RHP Bryce Stowell, LHP Ryan Morris, LHP Jeremy Sowers, C Armando Camacaro, C Wyatt Toregas, OF Nick Weglarz
Reinstated from inactive list: RHP Alex White, LHP Kelvin de la Cruz

The Indians rewarded a handful of top performers from Triple-A Columbus with big league callups. The Clippers breezed through the International League playoffs, knocking off strong Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and Durham clubs, and then won the Triple-A National Championship Game in a rout of Tacoma. In fact, closer Vinnie Pestano delivered the final pitch of that game to catcher Luke Carlin.

The Indians claimed Chad Huffman from the Yankees. He's a solid righthanded bat who has Triple-A experience and could play his way into a part-time role in Cleveland if need arises, a la Shelley Duncan this year.

Detroit Tigers
Recalled: RHP Jay Sborz, RHP Jacob Turner, LHP Fu-Te Ni, LHP Andy Oliver, SS Audy Ciriaco, SS Brent Dlugach, OF Jeff Frazier, OF Ryan Strieby, OF Clete Thomas
Assigned to Arizona Fall League: RHP Brooks Brown, RHP Chance Ruffin, RHP Brendan Wise, LHP Matt Hoffman, 3B Francisco Martinez, SS Cale Iorg

Florida Marlins
Released: OF Brandon Verley
Recalled: C Chris Hatcher
Added to 40-man roster: RHP Steve Cishek, RHP Sandy Rosario, SS Osvaldo Martinez
Reinstated from DL: RHP Dallas Trahern, RHP Tim Wood, OF Brett Carroll
Reinstated from inactive list: OF Brandon Verley

Double-A Jacksonville won its second straight Southern League title, and afterward the Marlins called up four team members: catcher Chris Hatcher, shortstop Osvaldo Martinez and relievers Steve Cishek and Sandy Rosario.

A 15th-round pick out of high school in ’04, Brandon Verley spent parts of three seasons in the Gulf Coast League, batting a cumulative .122/.245/.171 in 41 at-bats. For whatever reason, the Marlins didn't want to lose rights to Verley, so they placed him on the restricted list for ’07 and ’08, and then he voluntarily retired in May ’09.

Houston Astros
Designated for assignment: SS Edwin Maysonet, SS Oswaldo Navarro
Removed from 40-man: SS Edwin Maysonet, SS Oswaldo Navarro (both to Triple-A)
Reinstated from DL: RHP Dayan Diaz, RHP Murilo Gouvea, RHP Chris Hicks, RHP B.J. Hyatt, RHP Brad James, RHP Jeremy Johnson, RHP Chia-Jen Lo, RHP Nate Pettus, LHP Doug Arguello, LHP David Duncan, LHP Tommy Shirley, C Luis Alvarez, C Alfredo Gonzalez, C Lou Santangelo, 3B Erik Castro, 3B Kody Kirkland, OF Frank Almonte, OF Kellen Kiilsgaard, OF T.J. Steele
Reinstated from inactive list: LHP Chris Blazek, SS Jhon Florentino

Kansas City Royals
Released: RHP Rodolfo Encarnacion, RHP J.J. Leaper, RHP Justin Mazur, LHP Kyle Kriech, LHP Jordan Roualdes, 2B Fernando Garcia, 2B Victor Soto, OF Gabe MacDougall, OF Cameron Monger, OF Derek Rodriguez
Placed on 7-day DL: C Manny Pina
Reinstated from DL: RHP Alex Caldera, RHP Edward Cegarra, RHP Aaron Hartsock, RHP Kelvin Herrera, RHP Harold Mozingo, RHP Chris Nicoll, RHP Julio Pimentel, RHP Sam Runion, RHP Mario Santiago, RHP James Thompson, RHP Josh Worrell, LHP Noel Arguelles, LHP Chris Dwyer, C Juan Graterol, C Manny Pina, 2B Angel Franco, SS John Alfaro, SS Jeff Bianchi, SS Mario Lisson, SS Juan Rivera, OF Shane Costa, OF Damon Hollins
Assigned to Arizona Fall League: RHP Patrick Keating, LHP Danny Duffy, LHP Mike Montgomery, LHP Brandon Sisk, C Salvador Perez, 1B Eric Hosmer, 2B Johnny Giavotella, OF Derrick Robinson

Los Angeles Angels
Added to 40-man roster: SS Andrew Romine
Reinstated from DL: RHP Ryan Aldridge, RHP Jon Bachanov, RHP Brok Butcher, RHP Daniel Cabrera, RHP Michael Davitt, RHP Youngil Jung, RHP Fabio Martinez, RHP Tommy Mendoza, RHP Kevin Nabors, RHP Matt Shoemaker, RHP Mason Tobin, RHP Vladimir Veras, LHP Leonardo Calderon, LHP Daniel Davidson, LHP Drew Taylor, 2B Ivan Contreras, 2B Drew Meyer, 3B Jay Brossman, SS Michael Demperio, SS Gary Patchett, SS Hainley Statia, SS Adam Younger, OF Rich Cates, OF Clay Fuller, OF P.J. Phillips

A season-ending injury to shortstop Erick Aybar prompted the Angels to call up Andrew Romine, who would have been added to the 40-man roster in November to shield him from the Rule 5 draft. The 24-year-old switch-hits, runs well, defends well and has a pretty good plan at the plate, but he also has slugged just .361 in the minors. Romine batted .282/.370/.366 with 21 steals in 106 games for Double-A Arkansas this season.

Los Angeles Dodgers
Released: C Austin Yount
Traded: OF Preston Mattingly to Indians for OF Roman Pena
Voluntarily retired: OF Tony Moses

The Dodgers ostensibly traded Preston Mattingly so that he could get consistent playing time in the Indians organization. The 31st overall pick in ’06, he had stalled with high Class A Inland Empire the past two seasons, batting .232/.282/.342 over 526 at-bats. (Since signing, his defensive home has shifted from shortstop to second base to left field.) But the trade also clears up any conflict of interest concerns with Preston's father Don taking over as Dodgers manager next season.

Milwaukee Brewers
Signed: RHP Mark DiFelice (re-signed), LHP Chase Wright (re-signed), C Patrick Arlis (re-signed)
Recalled: RHP Josh Butler, RHP Alex Periard, RHP Amaury Rivasm, RHP Cody Scarpetta, LHP Mitch Stetter
Reinstated from DL: OF Chad Stang

Minnesota Twins
Signed: 3B Roy Larson (NDFA—St. Thomas (Minn.))

Update: Reader Dave correctly points out that Roy Larson signed out of the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minn. The Twins famously drafted Joe Mauer's brother Jake from UST in ’01. Not quite as famously, they signed righthander Matt Schuld from the same institution this June. 

New York Mets
Reinstated from DL: RHP Nick Abbott, RHP Sal Aguilar, RHP Kyle Allen, RHP Eric Beaulac, RHP Brian Bruney, RHP Ryan Coultas, RHP Jack Egbert, RHP Jake Goldberg, RHP John Holdzkom, RHP Tyler Howe, RHP Michael Johnson, RHP Jeff Kaplan, RHP Dan McDonald, RHP Trey Rackel, RHP Brant Rustich, RHP Chris Schwinden, RHP Tobi Stoner, RHP Tim Stronach, LHP Derrick Ellison, LHP Mitch Houck, LHP Arturo Lopez, LHP Steve Matz, LHP Brian Valenzuela, C Jean Blaquiere, C Omir Santos, 1B Sam Honeck, 1B Daniel Murphy, 1B D.J. Wabick, 2B Alex Cintron, 2B Reese Havens, 2B Rylan Sandoval, 3B Brian Harrison, 3B Jefry Marte, SS Matt Bouchard, SS 2B Harris, SS Juan Lagares, SS Luis Rivera, OF Emmanuel Garcia, OF Carlos Guzman, OF Fernando Martinez, OF Jorge Padilla, OF Nick Santomauro
Reinstated from inactive list: RHP Jeff Walters

New York Yankees
Voluntarily retired: RHP Dan Kapala
Recalled: RHP Andrew Brackman, RHP Romulo Sanchez
Reinstated from DL: RHP Sean Black, RHP Brandon Braboy, RHP Noel Castillo, RHP Caleb Cotham, RHP Grant Duff, RHP Jason Hirsh, RHP Alan Horne, RHP Tim Norton, RHP Jose Ramirez, RHP Romulo Sanchez, RHP Graham Stoneburner, LHP Jeremy Bleich, LHP Steve Garrison, LHP Francisco Rondon, C Kyle Higashioka, C J.R. Murphy, 2B David Adams, 2B Reegie Corona, 2B Corban Joseph, 3B Kevin Mahoney, SS Carmen Angelini, SS Walter Ibarra, OF Abraham Almonte, OF Jake Anderson, OF Melky Mesa
Reinstated from inactive list: RHP J.B. Cox, OF Isaiah Brown

Oakland Athletics
Signed: RHP Jeff Lyman*, OF Cameron Monger
Released: LHP John Halama
Reinstated from DL: RHP Rony Acevedo, RHP Kristian Bell, RHP Logan Chitwood, RHP Gary Daley, RHP Dan Giese, RHP Brett Hunter, RHP Deyvi Jimenez, RHP Chad Kerfoot, RHP Jared Lansford, RHP Alex Leon, RHP Jose Macias, RHP Marcus McBeth, RHP Kyle Middleton, RHP David Mota, RHP Mathieu Poirier, RHP Jamie Richmond, RHP Tyson Ross, RHP Josue Selenes, RHP James Simmons, RHP Justin Souza, RHP Dan Thomas, LHP Cedrick Bowers, LHP Pedro Figueroa, LHP Ben Hornbeck, LHP Brad Kilby, LHP Julio Ramos, C Joel Galarraga, C Josh Leyland, C Ryan Ortiz, C Jared Price, C Max Stassi, 1B Sean Doolittle, 3B Adam Heether, 3B Dallas McPherson, SS Dusty Coleman, SS Wilfrido Sosa, OF Chris Berroa, OF Mitch LeVier, OF David Thomas
Reinstated from inactive list: 2B Jemile Weeks
Assigned to Arizona Fall League: RHP Travis Banwart, RHP Mike Benacka, LHP Carlos Hernandez, 3B Stephen Parker, SS Grant Green, OF Michael Taylor

Pittsburgh Pirates
Reinstated from DL: RHP Ramon Aguero, RHP Victor Black, RHP Kevin Hart, RHP Brandon Holden, RHP Jeff Inman, RHP Brent Klinger, RHP Melkin Laureano, RHP Dustin Molleken, RHP Diego Moreno, RHP Logan Pevny, RHP Hunter Strickland, RHP Yerfi Taveras, RHP Oscar Verdugo, RHP Bryce Weidman, RHP Tyler Yates, LHP Donald Veal, C Milver Reyes, C Tony Sanchez, 2B Joshua Bonifay, 2B Brock Holt, 3B Jeremy Farrell, SS Yhonathan Barrios, SS Rodolfo Cardona, OF Justin Bencsko, OF Dan Grovatt, OF Gorkys Hernandez, OF Gavi Nivar
Reinstated from inactive list: RHP Dovydas Neverauskas, SS Andury Acevedo
Assigned to Arizona Fall League: RHP Brian Leach, RHP Ben Pribanic, LHP Justin Wilson, C Tony Sanchez, 2B Josh Harrison, SS Jordy Mercer, OF Andrew Lambo

St. Louis Cardinals
Recalled: RHP P.J. Walters, C Steve Hill, 1B Mark Hamilton, OF Allen Craig, OF Joe Mather
Added to 40-man roster: 2B Daniel Descalso
Designated for assignment: LHP Evan MacLane
Removed from 40-man: LHP Evan MacLane (Triple-A)
Reinstated from DL: RHP Pete Parise, LHP Sam Freeman, LHP Ryan Kulik, C Charlie Cutler, 1B Curt Smith, 2B Jose Martinez, OF Tyler Henley, OF Edgar Lara, OF Tommy Pham, OF Shane Robinson, OF Michael Swinson

A Cardinals third-rounder out of UC Davis in ’07, Daniel Descalso would have been added to the 40-man roster this offseason regardless, but he sped up his timetable with a fine season for Triple-A Memphis. He batted .282/.350/.421 in 468 at-bats while showing power (nine homers, 32 doubles) and patience (47-to-48 walk-to-strikeout ratio). Descalso made the Pacific Coast League's postseason all-star team at second base, though the 23-year-old draws mixed reviews for his defense.

Memphis failed to defend its PCL (and Triple-A) title, but several key Redbirds—Descalso, P.J. Walters, Mark Hamilton, Allen Craig and Joe Mather—received September callups once the Triple-A playoffs concluded.

San Diego Padres
Reinstated from DL: RHP Stephen Faris, RHP Chris Fetter, RHP Will Inman, RHP Allen Marona, RHP James Needy, RHP Bryan Oland, RHP Robert Poutier, RHP Jackson Quezada, RHP Jorge Reyes, RHP Daniel Sarria, RHP Nick Schumacher, LHP Zach Herr, LHP Matt Lachappa, LHP Noah Mull, LHP Nick Schmidt, C Justin Echevarria, 3B Mitch Canham, SS Anthony Contreras, SS Drew Cumberland, SS Beamer Weems, OF Yefri Carvajal, OF Jaff Decker, OF Kellen Kulbacki, OF Rymer Liriano
Reinstated from inactive list: C Adam Zornes

San Francisco Giants
Reinstated from DL: RHP Drew Bowlin, RHP Wilber Bucardo

Seattle Mariners
Recalled: RHP Dan Cortes, RHP Anthony Varvaro, 1B Mike Carp, 1B Justin Smoak, OF Greg Halman
Added to 40-man roster: 3B Matt Mangini
Placed on 7-day DL: 2B Kevin Mailloux

Triple-A Tacoma fought valiantly through the Pacific Coast League playoffs, eking past Sacramento in the first round and then upending Memphis in the finals to take the franchise's first outright league title since ’69. The Rainiers did so despite playing all three games against the Redbirds on the road, as 51-year-old Cheney Stadium began the first stages of its $30 million facelift. Justin Smoak put Tacoma on his shoulders, batting 11-for-26 (.423) with a homer, six RBIs, four runs scored and 11 walks during the playoffs. He and fellow Rainiers Dan Cortes, Anthony Varvaro, Mike Carp, Greg Halman and Matt Mangini received callups to Seattle. For all but Carp and Smoak, it was the players' first taste of the big leagues.

Tampa Bay Rays
Recalled: RHP Mike Ekstrom
Reinstated from DL: RHP Chris Andujar, RHP Brian Baker, RHP Nick Barnese, RHP Matt Bush, RHP Virgil Vasquez, RHP Kirby Yates, LHP Jason Cromer, LHP Carlos Hernandez, LHP Heath Phillips, C Alvin Colina, OF Anthony Scelfo

Texas Rangers
Reinstated from DL: RHP Tae Ahn, RHP Sam Brown, RHP Cody Buckel, RHP Kevin Castner, RHP Travis Chick, RHP Wilmer Font, RHP Andrew Laughter, RHP Roman Mendez, RHP Denny Peralta, RHP Carlos Pimentel, RHP Elizardo Ramirez, RHP Michael Schlact, RHP Brett Weibley, RHP Joe Wieland, LHP Juan Grullon, LHP Kasey Kiker, LHP Tim Murphy, 1B Chad Tracy, 2B Vicente Cafaro, 2B Jason Ogata, 3B Mitch Hilligoss, SS Kevin Rodland, OF Endy Chavez, OF Jason Kudlock, OF Daniel Lima, OF Teodoro Martinez, OF Clark Murphy
Reinstated from inactive list: RHP Justin Jamison, RHP Nick Tepesch, C Michael Thomas, OF Miguel Velazquez

Washington Nationals
Recalled: RHP Juan Jaime, RHP Shairon Martis, RHP Ryan Mattheus, RHP Garrett Mock, LHP Matt Chico, LHP Jesse English, LHP Atahualpa Severino, LHP Aaron Thompson
Reinstated from DL: RHP Marty Beno, RHP Robinson Fabian, RHP Juan Jaime, RHP Jason Jones, RHP Dan Leatherman, RHP Ryan Mattheus, RHP Brad Meyers, RHP Zech Zinicola, LHP Evan Bronson, LHP Chuck James, LHP Yunior Novoa, C Brian Peacock, SS Nick Arata, SS Wilberto Ortiz, OF Marvin Lowrance
Reinstated from inactive list: RHP Kevin Cahill, OF Marcus Jones