This installment: March 8-13
Previous installment: Feb. 28-March 7

We’re a week or two away from the annual spring purging, where players are released left and right, but this edition of transactions at least brings news of minor league assignments for a handful of top-shelf prospects (Yonder Alonso, Andrew Brackman, Ross Detwiler), as well as new homes for free agent stragglers (Tim Raines Jr., Chad Cordero).

Atlanta Braves
Released: RHP Anthony Lerew

Boston Red Sox
Optioned to Double-A: SS Argenis Diaz

Chicago Cubs
Signed: 3B Esteban German
Released: RHP Jim Henderson
Optioned to Triple-A: OF Richie Robnett

German’s on-base percentages for the Royals charted a steep decline, falling from .422 in ’06 to .351 to .303 last season, a trend that cost him his roster spot when Kansas City signed Juan Cruz. Even though the Cubs are short Mark DeRosa and Ronny Cedeno this year, they still have enough infield depth (Mike Fontenot, Aaron Miles, Aramis Ramirez, Ryan Theriot) so that German may not be a shoo-in for Opening Day.

[...] Continue Reading »

This week’s installment considers all transactions reported by MLB between Sept. 27 and Oct. 3. The previous installment is available here.

The major league season is done, meaning that teams officially call up the remnants of their 40-man rosters as they head into the off-season. Many organizations also have dumped players from their 40-man rosters to prepare for off-season additions.

On the minor league side, the first wave of minor league free agents hit the market as their contracts have expired. The full list does not become available until mid-October.

Arizona Diamondbacks
Signed: OF Trent Oeltjen, OF Alan Santiago
Recalled: RHP Juan Gutierrez, RHP Connor Robertson, RHP Esmerling Vasquez, LHP Jon Coutlangus, OF Javier Brito

Atlanta Braves
Granted free agency: OF Jason Perry
Recalled: RHP Jairo Cuevas, RHP Anthony Lerew, RHP Phil Stockman, LHP Francisley Bueno, LHP Chuck James
Removed from 40-man roster: RHP Vladimir Nunez, C Corky Miller, 2B Ruben Gotay

The 28-year-old Perry, a.k.a. the Tigers’ bounty for Jack Hannahan whom they dumped this spring training, received a four-game audition with Atlanta but batted just .118. He did hit a triple, though. The switch-hitting Gotay, who still is just 25, struggled in a pinch-hitting role, bating .235/.322/.343 for the Braves.

[...] Continue Reading »

This week’s installment considers all transactions reported by MLB between Aug. 9 and Aug. 18. The previous installment is available here.

Draft picks who signed at the deadline are included, and the numbers in parentheses below refer to draft rounds. Nondrafted free agents (with schools) also are included. Check out the 2008 Draft Database for draft picks in chronological order.

Check out last week’s Prospect On The Move for a complementary look at young players who have earned promotions.

Arizona Diamondbacks
Traded: RHP Dallas Buck and C Wilkin Castillo and a player to be named to Reds for OF Adam Dunn
Recalled: C Wilkin Castillo
Added to 40-man roster: OF Jeff Salazar
Optioned to Triple-A: RHP Billy Buckner, 3B Jamie D’Antona
Placed on 7-day DL: C Matt Morgan

Atlanta Braves
Draft pick signed: RHP J.J. Hoover (10)
Released: RHP Ryan Basner, RHP Jose Santiago
Added to 40-man roster: RHP Matt DeSalvo
Optioned to Triple-A: LHP Francisley Bueno, LHP Chuck James
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Ryne Reynoso, C Ray Serrano
Reinstated from DL: RHP Kyle Cofield, RHP Jose Santiago, RHP Ferdin Tejeda, LHP Jeff Ridgway, C Ben Johnson, SS Javier Guzman
Placed on temporarily inactive list: RHP Casey Beck
Reinstated from inactive list: RHP Casey Beck [...] Continue Reading »

This week’s installment considers all transactions reported by MLB between July 12 and July 20 The previous installment is available here.

Draft pick signings are in full swing, and the numbers in parentheses below refer to draft rounds. Nondrafted free agents (with schools) also are included. Check out the 2008 Draft Database for draft picks in chronological order.

Arizona Diamondbacks
Draft pick signed: LHP Daniel Schlereth (1)
Traded: RHP Evan Scribner to Padres for 1B Tony Clark
Recalled: RHP Billy Buckner
Optioned to Triple-A: C Robby Hammock
Reinstated from DL: RHP Sean Morgan, RHP Max Scherzer

Atlanta Braves
Signed: C Matt Kramer (Harlingen (United))
Released: C Javier Dominguez
Placed on 7-day DL: LHP Jose Ortegano, LHP Chad Rodgers

Baltimore Orioles
Released: RHP Esteban Yan
Traded: 2B Mike McCoy to Rockies for SS Juan Castro
Added to 40-man roster: SS Juan Castro
Outrighted off 40-man roster: SS Freddie Bynum
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Josh Tamba, C Zach Dillon, 3B Scott Moore, OF Bobby Andrews
Reinstated from DL: RHP Luis Gustavo, C Justin Johnson, 1B Ryan Finan [...] Continue Reading »

The rosters were announced for the Southern League All-Star Game, which will be played Monday in Zebulon, N.C. and will feature several prominent middle-of-the-diamond prospects.

The North Division will be led at the plate by shortstop Alcides Escobar (Brewers) and second baseman Chris Coghlan (Marlins). Escobar, 21, has been on fire for Huntsville in the first half and entered the season ranked as the third best prospect in the system, although that was before the trade that sent Matt LaPorta to Cleveland. Coghlan, known for his plate discipline, makes up the other half of the double-play tandem.

The North also boasts pitcher Donald Veal, the best lefthander in the Cubs system.

The South Division boasts the Rays’ 2007 minor league pitcher of the year, righthander Wade Davis, and Dodgers righthander James McDonald, who has a loose arm and an improved changeup from a year ago.

Both teams also feature two-deep talent at the catcher position. The North has Adam Moore (Mariners) and Angel Salome (Brewers), while the South will play John Jaso (Rays) and Lucas May (Dodgers).

The rest of the teams’ rosters are after the jump:

[...] Continue Reading »

This week’s installment considers all transactions reported by MLB between May 30 and June 13. The previous installment is available here.

The draft pick signings will come fast and furious over the next few weeks, and the numbers in parentheses below refer to draft rounds. Nondrafted free agents (with schools) also are included. Check out the 2008 Draft Database for draft picks in chronological order.

Arizona Diamondbacks
Signed: RHP Justin Mace (NDFA—Lewis-Clark State (Idaho))
Draft picks signed: RHP Jordan Meaker (20), RHP Jesse Orosco (38), RHP Miles Reagan (7), RHP Bryan Woodall (21), 1B Dan Kauffman (46), 2B Jake Elmore (34), 3B Nelson Gomez (24), 3B Kyle Greene (11), SS Justin Parker (6), OF Collin Cowgill (5), OF Bobby Stone (15)
Released: RHP Ty Davis, RHP Chris Kinsey, SS Blake Sharpe
Voluntarily retired: RHP Alvaro Ortega
Outrighted off 40-man roster: RHP Brandon Medders
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Matt Elliott, LHP Edward Romero
Reinstated from DL: SS Blake Sharpe, OF Tyler Jones

Atlanta Braves
Signed: RHP Brian Lawrence
Draft picks signed: RHP Zeke Spruill (2), SS Travis Adair (13), SS Tyler Barnett (21), OF Layton Hiller (15)
Released: RHP Scott Williamson, LHP Danny Smith, LHP Kelvin Villa
Recalled: RHP Phil Stockman, LHP Jeff Ridgway, OF Josh Anderson, OF Brandon Jones
Optioned to Triple-A: RHP Phil Stockman, OF Josh Anderson
Outrighted off 40-man roster: RHP Chris Resop
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Gonzalo Lopez, LHP Francisley Bueno, C Jean Boscan, C Ray Serrano
Reinstated from DL: LHP Chuck James, LHP Carlos Sencion, LHP David Wilson, C Ray Serrano, OF Reid Gorecki, OF Carl Loadenthal
Placed on temporarily inactive list: LHP Daniel Smith
Reinstated from inactive list: LHP Daniel Smith, OF Roberto Alvarez, OF Jordan Schafer

Schafer returned from his 50-game suspension for HGH use in style, going 2-for-4 with a triple in his June 2 debut with Double-A Mississippi. [...] Continue Reading »

This week’s installment considers all transactions reported by MLB between May 7 and 9. Last week’s transactions available here.

Baltimore Orioles
Optioned toTriple-A: SS Eider Torres
Placed on 7-day DL: LHP Tony Butler
Reinstated from DL: 3B Ryan McCarthy

Boston Red Sox
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Ryan Colvin
Reinstated from DL: 2B Luis Segovia

Chicago Cubs
Released: LHP Geoffrey Jones, 2B Ismael Salas, OF Corey Coles
Optioned to Triple-A: LHP Sean Marshall
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Jesse Estrada
Reinstated from DL: 2B Eric Patterson
Option transferred: 1B Jake Fox (Triple-A Iowa to Double-A Tennessee)

With Coles’ release, neither player acquired from the Mets for outfielder Angel Pagan remains with the Cubs. Ryan Meyers was released in late April. To create at-bats for returned-from-the-DL first baseman Micah Hoffpauir, Fox was demoted to Double-A. He had 17 extra-base hits in 29 game with Iowa, but was batting just .222/.242/.479 overall. [...] Continue Reading »

Allen Craig blasted a pair of home runs, David Huff and Michael Bowden threw a pair of gems in the Eastern League, Daryl Thompson finally struggled, John Jaso had a big night at the plate and Luke Hughes extended his hitting streak in yesterday’s Double-A action.

EASTERN LEAGUE

Prospect Of The Day
Akron (Indians) lefthander David Huff allowed seven earned runs through 8 2/3 innings in his first two outings. In his last five starts, Huff has been dominant, allowing just four earned runs in 30 2/3 innings for a 1.19 ERA with a 35-8 K-BB ratio. That stretch inludes last night’s performance against Altoona (Pirates), in which Huff allowed just one run in seven innings, allowing four hits, no walks and striking out eight. On the year, Huff has a 2.52 ERA in 39 1/3 innings with a 41-10 K-BB ratio.

[...] Continue Reading »

Rays lefthander James Houser’s fastball velocity is down this season, but one of those fastballs has him facing a three-game suspension.

Houser, 23, has been suspended for three games for hitting Huntsville right fielder Matt LaPorta with a pitch on May 2. Given that Houser is a starting pitcher, a three-game suspension won’t cause him to miss any starts for Double-A Montgomery.

Houser hit LaPorta with the second pitch of the second inning on Friday, then was promptly ejected by umpire Nick Nolde. Houser told the Montgomery Adviser that he did not intend to hit LaPorta, and LaPorta felt the same way.

"For him especially, you don’t want to make a mistake over the plate, because he’ll hurt you," Houser said. "When the catcher calls for a fastball in, I wanted to make sure it was in and not middle."

* * *

Part of that includes that Houser and LaPorta are former summer teammates and high school rivals who are friends. The two even ate dinner together Thursday night at Shogun’s steakhouse.

"I just think he was trying to come inside and it happened," LaPorta said. "The umpires did what they felt they had to do. That’s up to the umpires."

I saw Houser pitch at Carolina (Marlins) on April 11, when Houser allowed one hit in five scoreless innings, but his fastball velocity was down significantly from last year. Houser’s fastball sat in the high-80s and touched 91 mph last year, but his fastball sat consistently at 83-85 mph in that start against the Mudcats, never touching higher than 85. Houser got by on the quality of his mid-70s changeup, a 55 pitch on the 20-80 scouting scale that had several Carolina hitters fooled. He also mixed in a 69-70 mph curve, but the drop in his fastball velocity was the most alarming.

[...] Continue Reading »

Two games, Connecticut-Bowie and Northwest Arkansas-Springfield, remained scoreless until the ninth inning, Travis Snider made his Double-A debut, the B-Mets bashed out hits and Jaime Garcia pitched a gem but lost.

EASTERN LEAGUE

• Connecticut (Giants) 1, Bowie (Orioles) 0
Scoreless through eight and a half innings and featuring no extra-base hits and no errors, this is about as crisp as a game can be—and it clocked in at just over two hours. Connecticut pinch-hitter Olmo Rosario drove in RF Ben Copeland (who was 1-for-3 with a walk) with the game’s only run in the bottom of the ninth. Bowie RHP David Hernandez struck out eight in 6 1/3 innings, allowing two hits and two walks.

• New Britain (Twins) 5, Reading (Phillies) 2
Reading collected 11 hits, but scored just twice, to fall to New Britain. Rock Cats RHP Anthony Swarzak (4 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 3 BB, 6 SO) and two relievers were just good enough. Phillies CF Greg Golson was 3-for-5 with a double, while Cats SS Trevor Plouffe was 2-for-4. [...] Continue Reading »

Twins righthander Anthony Swarzak overmatched New Hampshire batters, Indians third baseman Wes Hodges hit his fifth home run of the season, 19-year-old Yankees right fielder Jose Tabata clubbed a pair of doubles and the Connecticut-Portland game took 17 innings to finish in last night’s Double-A action.

Eastern League

Binghamton (Mets) 7, Akron (Indians) 2
At the beginning of the week, Binghamton outfielder Fernando Martinez looked like a great candidate for tomorrow afternoon’s Hot Sheet. But he struggled on Tuesday, going 0-for-6 with four strikeouts. Yesterday wasn’t much better for Martinez, who went 0-for-5 with three strikeouts out of the leadoff spot. On a more positive note for Binghamton, first baseman Nick Evans went 3-for-5 with three doubles.

For Akron, third baseman Wes Hodges is now hitting .360/.377/.740 after clubbing his fifth home run of the season in a 1-for-4 outing. Akron lefty David Huff also had a nice game, going five shutout innings with no walks and eight strikeouts.

New Britain (Twins) 4, New Hampshire (Blue Jays) 1
New Britain righthander Anthony Swarzak was nearly unhittable against the Fisher Cats. Swarzak, who missed 50 games last season after violating Major League Baseball’s drug policy, allowed just three hits in six shutout innings, striking out 10 and walking none.

[...] Continue Reading »

As we did last year, we’ll look around the minors every weekday with BAPR Plus, a supplement to the Baseball America Prospect Report, which is available by e-mail every weekday.

Dexter Fowler flashed his diverse set of tools, Elvis Andrus came through in a clutch situation, Matt Torra built upon his second-half success from a year ago, Austin Jackson got his hitting on track and Cameron Maybin continued to collect hits for his new organization in yesterday’s Double-A action.

Eastern League

Austin Jackson got his bat going as Trenton’s (Yankees) DH, as the Thunder won 13-7 at Binghamton (Mets). Jackson went 2-for-4 with a double and two walks, scoring runs in three of his four times on base. Trenton right fielder Jose Tabata had less success, going 0-for-5 with a strikeout. Third baseman Danny Murphy, the No. 11 prospect in the Mets system, had a great day at the plate (2-for-4 with two doubles and a stolen base) and a poor day in the field (two throwing errors). Fernando Martinez, playing center field and hitting leadoff for Binghamton, went 0-for-3 with a strikeout, while second baseman Emmanuel Garcia went 2-for-4 and scored two runs.

Akron (Indians) outlasted Harrisburg (Nationals) in a 13-11 victory on the road. Akron third baseman Wes Hodges went 3-for-4 with a double, a walk and three runs scored, while DH Matt Whitney went 2-for-5 with a home run. Shortstop Josh Rodriguez struggled, however, going 0-for-5 with a walk out of the two hole. For Harrisburg, leadoff hitter Mike Daniel reached base in all five of his trips to the plate. The 23-year-old left fielder went 4-for-4 with a walk, a double and a stolen base. Right fielder Justin Maxwell, hitting cleanup, went 0-for-3 with a strikeout but drew two walks and scored a pair of runs, while blast-from-the-past Yurendell de Caster went 4-for-5 with a homer and two doubles.

[...] Continue Reading »

This week’s installment considers all transactions reported by MLB between March 29 and April 4. Last week’s transactions available here.

Monster transactions blog season begins now, as teams move players between the majors and minors and from the disabled list to active duty. Keep in mind that all DL references here refer to the minor league version, thus the 7-day designation.

And for more detailed takes on players who just made or just missed making a 25-man roster, be sure to check out our AL and NL roster surprises. They’re for subscribers only.

Arizona Diamondbacks
Signed: 2B Guillermo Reyes (Can-Am League in ’07)
Traded: RHP Dustin Nippert to Rangers for RHP Jose Marte
Loaned to Mexican League: 3B Agustin Murillo
Optioned to Triple-A: RHP Jailen Peguero
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Dallas Buck, RHP Chris Kinsey, RHP Ramon Sanchez, RHP Daniel Stange, RHP Esmerling Vasquez, C Josh Ford, C Richard Mercado, SS Blake Sharpe, OF Daniel Perales, OF Joey Side
Rehab assignment: LHP Randy Johnson (Triple-A Tucson)

Atlanta Braves
Signed: 1B Scott Spiezio, 1B Scott Thorman
Released: RHP Colter Bean, C Steven Garcia, C Victor Hernandez, 1B Josh Morris, SS John Nelson, OF Larry Williams
Placed on restricted list: RHP Wiliam Ramirez
Placed on suspended list: 3B Eric Campbell
Recalled: LHP Jo-Jo Reyes
Added to 40-man roster: C Corky Miller
Optioned to Triple-A: RHP Buddy Carlyle, LHP Jeff Ridgway, C Clint Sammons, OF Josh Anderson
Outrighted off 40-man roster: 1B Scott Thorman
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Paul Bush, RHP Erik Cordier, RHP Matt DeSalvo, RHP Tim Gustafson, RHP Moises Hernandez, RHP Joe Johnson, RHP Jose Santiago, LHP Lee Hyde, LHP Cole Rohrbough, LHP Jonny Venters, LHP Kelvin Villa, LHP Tyler Wilson, C Jeff Stevens, OF Quentin Davis

Rohrbough was set back in spring training with minor arm soreness, which may have been a residual effect from an offseason ankle injury. Campbell is suspended again by the Braves, this time for undisclosed reasons. [...] Continue Reading »

This week’s installment considers all transactions reported by MLB between March 1 and 14. Previous transactions available here.

More than half of the spring-training slate has elapsed, meaning that plenty of 40-man roster members have been optioned to minor league camp. Read on to learn the destinations of that first wave. Oh, and the completion of the Super Register should mean a return to a more regularly-scheduled transactions blog.

Arizona Diamondbacks
Released: RHP Osbek Castillo, LHP Craig Pfautz, LHP Mark Romanczuk, C Julio Parra, SS Shea McFeely
Optioned to Triple-A: RHP Max Scherzer, RHP Esmerling Vasquez, 1B Javier Brito, 1B Josh Whitesell

Whitesell, a sixth-round selection by the Expos in 2003 from Loyola Marymount, has been kicking around the minors for five years now, but he gets a new lease on life with his move to Arizona on a waiver claim. He quietly had a fine year in the Double-A Eastern League in 2007, finishing second with 87 walks and a .425 OBP and fourth with a .512 slugging percentage. He’s 26, doesn’t run and doesn’t make a ton of contact, but he might be a cheap on-base source for the D’backs beginning now. He’s also lefthanded, making him a complement to Conor Jackson at first base.

Atlanta Braves
Signed: RHP Vladimir Nunez
Optioned to Triple-A: RHP Charlie Morton, RHP Zach Schreiber, RHP Phil Stockman
Optioned to Double-A: RHP Jairo Cuevas

Baltimore Orioles
Optioned to Triple-A: RHP Fredy Deza, RHP Bob McCrory, RHP Hayden Penn

Boston Red Sox
Granted free agency: RHP Lincoln Holdzkom
Optioned to Triple-A: RHP Devern Hansack, RHP Edgar Martinez, RHP David Pauley, OF Jonathan Van Every
Optioned to Double-A: RHP Kyle Jackson, SS Argenis Diaz [...] Continue Reading »

Lefthander James Houser, the No. 18 prospect in the Rays’ system, served 25 games of a 50-game suspension last year after testing positive for amphetamines.

It now appears that Houser, who pitched at Double-A Montgomery in 2007, won’t have to serve the rest of his suspension.

Houser had tested positive for amphetamines, a violation of the Minor League Drug Prevention and Treatment Program. The Rays placed Houser on the 40-man roster in November, making him technically a major leaguer and thus subject to Major League Baseball’s collective bargaining agreement.

"He was placed on the 40-man roster, and as a member of the 40-man roster, he’s no longer subject to the minor league rules," Rays spokesman Rick Vaughn said.

The major league and minor league drug testing programs are two separate programs. Major leaguers are not suspended for a first positive test for amphetamines and their names are not publicly released, whereas minor leaguers who test positive for amphetamines receive a 50-game suspension. MLB Vice President of Public Relations Operations Patrick Courtney confirmed that Houser is no longer suspended.
[...] Continue Reading »

Tuesday Nov. 20 was the deadline for teams to add players to their major league 40-man rosters to avoid exposing them to December’s Rule 5 Draft. The Rule 5 guidelines were adjusted in the 2006 Collective Bargaining Agreement, giving teams an extra protection year for players. High school players drafted in 2003 and college players drafted in 2004 become eligible for the Rule 5 for the first time this year.

The players listed below are those who were added to 40-man rosters in October and November to protect them from exposure to the Rule 5 draft. 

Arizona Diamondbacks
RHP Esmerling Vasquez
C Wilkin Castillo
OF Javier Brito

Atlanta Braves
RHP Jairo Cuevas
RHP Charlie Morton
RHP Zach Schreiber

Baltimore Orioles
RHP Fredy Deza
RHP Bob McCrory [...] Continue Reading »

This week’s installment considers all transactions reported by MLB between Nov. 17 and 21. Last week’s transactions available here.

The full list of  40-man roster additions made in October and November to protect players from December’s Rule 5 draft.

Arizona Diamondbacks
Selected to 40-man roster: RHP Esmerling Vasquez, C Wilkin Castillo, OF Javier Brito

Atlanta Braves
Selected to 40-man roster: RHP Jairo Cuevas, RHP Charlie Morton, RHP Zach Schreiber

Baltimore Orioles
Signed: LHP Chris Waters, C Omir Santos

Boston Red Sox
Signed: RHP Lee Gronkiewicz
Selected to 40-man roster: 1B Chris Carter, SS Argenis Diaz

Gronkiewicz, 29, turned in a typically-strong relief campaign, going 6-3, 2.41 with 83-10 K-BB in 74 2/3 innings in the Blue Jays system this season. Signed as a nondrafted free agent by the Indians from South Carolina in 2001, the 5-foot-10 Gronkiewicz has had to fight for every opportunity. He’s also been a middle reliever for Team USA the last two years, teams that won both the Olympic qualifying tournament in 2006 and the recent World Cup. [...] Continue Reading »

This week’s installment considers all transactions reported between Sept. 22-28. Last week’s transactions available here.

Suspended players who were reinstated from 50-game suspensions will continue serving their time in 2008.

Arizona Diamondbacks
Reinstated from inactive list: SS Donnie Sadler

Atlanta Braves
Outrighted off 40-man roster: RHP Kevin Barry

Boston Red Sox
Reinstated from inactive list: C Luis Exposito, 3B Claudio Arias
Reinstated from disabled list: RHP Antony Alvarado, RHP Adam Bernero, RHP Caleb Clay, RHP Felix Diaz, RHP Matt Goodson, RHP Kevin Guyette, RHP Wang-Yi Lin, RHP Brantley New, RHP Thomas Pressly, RHP Pedro Rodriguez, LHP William Latimer, LHP Mike Rozier, C Daniel Milano, 2B Luis Segovia, 3B Manny Arambarris, OF Bubba Bell, OF Ryan Kalish, OF Yahmed Yema
Assigned to Arizona Fall League: RHP Craig Hansen, RHP Jose Vaquedano, LHP Daniel Haigwood, LHP Hunter Jones, C Dusty Brown, C Jon Still, SS Jed Lowrie [...] Continue Reading »

See also: EL Batting and Pitching leaders
See also: SL Batting and Pitching leaders
See also: TL Batting and Pitching leaders

Check out the Triple-A Stat Wrap for a detailed explanation of the methods used here.

EASTERN LEAGUE

Best Run Differential: Erie: +119 (won Southern Division at 81-59)
Fun Fact: 1B Jeff Larish won two legs of the league’s triple crown (home runs, RBIs), but ranked just fourth in slugging percentage, in part because of his .267 average.
Team’s Best Player: 1B Jeff Larish, .267/.390/.515 with 28 HR, 25 2B and 101 RBIs
Team’s Best Pitcher: RHP Jair Jurrjens, 7-5, 3.20 in 112 2/3 IP with 94-31 K-BB

Worst Run Differential: Harrisburg: -107 (finished last in Southern Division at 55-86)
Dubious Distinction: Senators pitchers allowed the most runs, baserunners and home runs in the league. [...] Continue Reading »

This week’s installment considers all transactions reported between Aug. 18-27. Last week’s transactions available here. Or visit the transactions archive for the full array.

Arizona Diamondbacks
Released: OF Joel Melendez
Traded: 1B Chris Carter to Red Sox in three-way deal in which Nationals acquired OF Wily Mo Pena and Diamondbacks acquired RHP Emiliano Fruto
Recalled: RHP Yusmeiro Petit
Optioned to Triple-A: RHP Emiliano Fruto, RHP Jailen Peguero
Reinstated from disabled list: RHP Chad Harville
Reinstated from inactive list: OF Joel Melendez
Option transferred: OF Carlos Gonzalez (Double-A Mobile to Triple-A Tucson)

Gonzalez, 21, hit .286/.330/.476 for Mobile with 16 homers and 33 doubles before his promotion. Scouts like Fruto’s arm strength, but the 23-year-old, went just 3-9, 5.26 with 68-59 K-BB for Triple-A Columbus in the Nats’ system. [...] Continue Reading »