This time: Sept. 20-26

Most of the players recalled in this installment did not play in the big leagues, of course, but the time for organizations to station them in the minors on optional assignment has come to an end this season.

Arizona Diamondbacks
Recalled: RHP Trevor Bauer, RHP Barry Enright, RHP Kam Mickolio, RHP Yonata Ortega, RHP Esmerling Vasquez, LHP Zach Kroenke, C Konrad Schmidt
Removed from 40-man: SS Tommy Manzella (outrighted to Triple-A)
Reinstated from DL: RHP Chase Anderson, RHP Armando Galarraga, RHP Matt Gorgen, RHP Trevor Harden, RHP Reid Mahon, RHP Miguel Pena, RHP Daniel Stange, RHP Casey Upperman, RHP Jason Urquidez, RHP Andrew Wolcott, LHP Cody Wheeler, C Zach Jones, 2B Mike Freeman, 3B Michael Weber, SS Eddie Rogers, OF Michael Restovich, OF Bobby Stone, OF David Winfree
Assigned to Arizona Fall League: RHP Charles Brewer, RHP Kevin Munson, RHP Eric Smith, RHP Bryan Woodall, 2B David Nick, 3B Ryan Wheeler, OF Adam Eaton

Atlanta Braves
Signed: LHP Yohan Flande (re-signed), OF Trent Baker
Traded: RHP Eliecer Cardenas to Pirates to complete deal in which Pirates traded OF Matt Diaz to Braves for a player to be named
Designated for assignment: OF Matt Young
Reinstated from DL: RHP Mike Broadway, RHP Reidy Escobar, RHP Tyler Hess, RHP Juan Jaime, RHP Jason Lowey, RHP Stephen Marek, RHP Ian Marshall, RHP Kyle Mertins, RHP Angelo Paulino, RHP Cory Rasmus, RHP James Weber, LHP Chad Rodgers, C Cory Brownsten, C Ramon de los Santos, C Evan Gattis, 1B Jakob Dalfonso, 2B Phil Gosselin, OF Willie Cabrera, OF Chris Carter, OF Adam Milligan

A native of Brisbane, Australia, Trent Baker got cut by the Indians at the end of spring training this year. The Australian Baseball Digest indicates that the Braves will try the lefthanded Baker on the mound. [...] Continue Reading »

This installment of Minor League Transactions finds organizations making post-Triple-A playoff callups, reinstating players from the disabled list, and beginning to re-sign their own players so that they don't bolt via minor league free agency following the World Series.

Arizona Diamondbacks
Signed: RHP Kaleb Fleck (NDFA—Pittsburgh-Johnstown)
Recalled: OF Cole Gillespie
Added to 40-man roster: RHP Jarrod Parker
Designated for assignment: SS Tommy Manzella

Kaleb Fleck sat out the ’11 season at Pittsburgh-Johnstown as he recovered from Tommy John surgery. He pitched for Cotuit in the Cape Cod League this summer, notching six strikeouts, five walks and 14 hits allowed in 9 1/3 innings.

Atlanta Braves
Assigned to Arizona Fall League: RHP Billy Bullock, RHP Erik Cordier, RHP J.J. Hoover, LHP Sean Gilmartin, C Christian Bethancourt, 1B Joey Terdoslavich, OF Todd Cunningham

Baltimore Orioles
Reinstated from DL: RHP Jesse Beal, RHP Matt Hobgood, RHP Dan Klein, RHP Kevin Landry, RHP Clay Schrader, LHP James Houser, LHP Casey Lambert, LHP Nate Nery, LHP Luis Ramirez, LHP Will Startup, LHP Aaron Wirsch, C Joel Polanco, C Jason Stifler, 1B Bill Rowell, 1B Tyler Townsend, 2B Greg Miclat, 2B Sammie Starr, 3B Adam Gaylord, 3B Tyler Kolodny, SS Vinny Zazueta, OF Steve Bumbry, OF Chris Clinton, OF Trent Mummey, OF Felix Pie, OF Kieron Pope [...] Continue Reading »

Arizona Diamondbacks
Released: 1B Daryle Ward

Baltimore Orioles
Removed from 40-man: SS Blake Davis (outrighted to Triple-A)

Boston Red Sox
Recalled: RHP Scott Atchison
Removed from 40-man: 2B Drew Sutton (outrighted to Triple-A)
Reinstated from DL: RHP Brandon Duckworth, 2B Tony Thomas

Chicago Cubs
Reinstated from DL: RHP Justin Berg, RHP Manolin de Leon, RHP Dylan Johnston, RHP Tarlandas Mitchell, RHP Jose Tineo, RHP Scott Weismann, LHP Graham Hicks, LHP Zach Rosscup, LHP Luis Villalba, OF John Andreoli [...] Continue Reading »

This time: Aug. 31-Sept. 6

September is here and vast callups upon us. Visit our Big League Debuts chart for draft/signing status and signing scouts for all first-time big league callups.

Arizona Diamondbacks
Released: RHP Wes Roemer
Recalled: RHP Ryan Cook, RHP Sam Demel
Added to 40-man roster: C Robby Hammock
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Jason Urquidez
Reinstated from DL: RHP Jason Urquidez, 1B Juan Miranda

Atlanta Braves
Released: 3B Wes Helms
Recalled: RHP Randall Delgado, RHP Julio Teheran, RHP Anthony Varvaro, C J.C. Boscan
Added to 40-man roster: OF Antoan Richardson
Removed from 40-man: LHP Dustin Richardson (outrighted to Triple-A)
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Juan Jaime, C Evan Gattis
Reinstated from DL: LHP Blaine Sims, SS Tyler Pastornicky [...] Continue Reading »

The calm before the storm of September callups . . .

Arizona Diamondbacks
Released: RHP Jeff Bennett
Removed from 40-man: SS Cody Ransom (outrighted to Triple-A)
Placed on 7-day DL: 1B Juan Miranda, OF Michael Restovich
Reinstated from DL: C Robby Hammock

Atlanta Braves
Placed on 60-day DL: LHP Dimasther Delgado, LHP Rowdy Hardy
Reinstated from DL: RHP Yeliar Castro, RHP Erik Cordier, 3B Shawn Bowman

Baltimore Orioles
Signed: OF Felix Pie*
Recalled: LHP Mark Hendrickson
Removed from 40-man: OF Felix Pie (outrighted to Triple-A)
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Matt Hobgood, C Zach Booker, 1B Tyler Townsend, SS Greg Miclat [...] Continue Reading »

Arizona Diamondbacks
Removed from 40-man: RHP Kevin Mulvey (outrighted to Triple-A)
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Jason Urquidez, C Robby Hammock
Reinstated from DL: RHP Charles Brewer, 2B Tony Abreu

Atlanta Braves
Signed: RHP Juan Jaime, 3B Wes Helms
Optioned to Triple-A: RHP Randall Delgado
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Erik Cordier, 2B Phil Gosselin, OF Willie Cabrera

A hard thrower who had Tommy John surgery in April ’10 and has not yet returned to action, Juan Jaime could morph into a useful bullpen piece for Atlanta, assuming they can re-sign him to a minor league deal for next season. (The 24-year-old Jaime has just 32 innings of experience in full-season ball, however.) The Braves know a thing or two about acquiring relievers on the cheap. They snagged Eric O'Flaherty on waivers from the Mariners in November ’08, Cristhian Martinez from the Marlins in April ’10 and Anthony Varvaro from the Mariners (again) last January. Atlanta also signed Juan Abreu (whom they packaged to Houston in the Michael Bourn deal) and Jairo Asencio (who won Best Reliever honors in the International League) on the minor league free agent market. [...] Continue Reading »

A total of 145 draft picks signed minor league deals in this period, including 96 players at the Aug. 15 deadline and another 11 the day before. That tally does not include the draft picks who signed major league deals, including the Mariners' Danny Hultzen (No. 2 overall), the Orioles' Dylan Bundy (No. 4) and the Nationals' duo of Anthony Rendon (No. 6) and Matt Purke (third round). Diamondbacks No. 3 overall pick Trevor Bauer signed a big league deal in late July and already has reached Double-A.

Players listed with an asterisk (*) signed minor league contracts after either being optioned or outrighted to the minors.

Arizona Diamondbacks
Draft picks signed: RHP Archie Bradley (1), RHP Anthony Meo (2), RHP Kyle Winkler (10), LHP Andrew Chafin (1.5), LHP Will Locante (11), C Michael Perez (5), OF Joe Loftus (46)
Released: RHP Josh Ellis, OF Breland Brown
Added to 40-man roster: LHP Wade Miley
Designated for assignment: RHP Juan Jaime, RHP Kevin Mulvey
Optioned to Triple-A: SS Tommy Manzella
Option transferred: RHP Trevor Bauer (High-A to Double-A)
Placed on 7-day DL: SS Tony Abreu
Reinstated from DL: RHP Jason Urquidez

The D-backs claimed glove-first 28-year-old shortstop Tommy Manzella on waivers from the Astros. A college teammate of Arizona righthander Micah Owings at Tulane in ’05, Manzella has spent much of the past four seasons in the Triple-A Pacific Coast League, batting .256/.319/.374 in 313 games for Round Rock, Oklahoma City and (after the claim) Reno. He has one option remaining for ’12.

Atlanta Braves
Draft picks signed: 1B Jackson Laumann (31), OF Cody Livesay (42)
Recalled: RHP Randall Delgado
Added to 40-man roster: RHP Arodys Vizcaino
Optioned to Triple-A: RHP Anthony Varvaro, C J.C. Boscan
Placed on 7-day DL: LHP Blaine Sims, SS Tyler Pastornicky
Reinstated from DL: RHP Kenshin Kawakami [...] Continue Reading »

Numbers in parentheses indicate draft round.

Arizona Diamondbacks
Released: RHP Cristian Beltre
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Jason Urquidez, C Raywilly Gomez, C Zach Jones
Reinstated from DL: RHP Kevin Mulvey, C Raywilly Gomez, 2B Matt Jensen, SS Dan Kaczrowski, OF Jeremia Gomez

Atlanta Braves
Signed: RHP Navery Moore (14), LHP Luis Merejo
Released: RHP Matt Lewis
Recalled: LHP Mike Minor

Baltimore Orioles
Signed: RHP Willie Eyre, OF John Ruettiger (8)
Released: RHP Josh Rupe
Recalled: RHP Jason Berken, RHP Chris Tillman
Designated for assignment: RHP Brandon Erbe
Optioned to Triple-A: LHP Mark Hendrickson
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Jose Diaz, C Adam Donachie, C Joel Polanco
Reinstated from DL: LHP Matt Taylor, C Joel Polanco, 1B Rhyne Hughes

Brandon Erbe's time with the Orioles may be nearing an end. The 23-year-old will be eligible for free agency if he's not added back to the 40-man roster between now and early November. Baltimore born and bred, Erbe signed out of third round of the ’05 draft and put Class A ball behind him by the end of the ’08 season. However, he's pitched just 165 innings in the past three seasons (including 4 2/3 this year), and he's coming off labrum surgery in ’10. [...] Continue Reading »

Players listed with an asterisk (*) signed minor league contracts, replacing major league pacts with the same organization. That's a fancy way of saying the player has been optioned or outrighted to the minors.

Number in parentheses indicate draft round.

Arizona Diamondbacks
Signed: RHP Trevor Bauer*, RHP Brian Stokes (Camden (Atlantic)), 1B Daryle Ward (Newark (Can-Am))
Released: RHP Yhency Brazoban, RHP Adam Osteen
Traded: SS Zach Walters to Nationals for RHP Jason Marquis
Acquired: OF Ryan Langerhans from Mariners for cash considerations
Recalled: RHP Ryan Cook
Added to 40-man roster: 1B Paul Goldschmidt
Optioned to Triple-A: RHP Ryan Cook, RHP Sam Demel
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Trevor Harden, RHP Daniel Stange, OF Jeremia Gomez
Reinstated from DL: RHP Jason Urquidez

Paul Goldschmidt batted .306/.435/.626 with a minor league-leading 30 home runs in 366 at-bats for Double-A Mobile prior to his callup. He figures prominently in our forthcoming Southern League Best Tools feature.

Atlanta Braves
Signed: RHP Darrel Leiva, LHP Chris Cody (York (Atlantic))
Released: OF Juan Flores
Traded: RHP Juan Abreu, RHP Paul Clemens, LHP Brett Oberholtzer and OF Jordan Schafer to Astros for OF Michael Bourn
Acquired: C Wil Nieves from Brewers for cash considerations
Recalled: RHP Anthony Varvaro, C J.C. Boscan, OF Wilkin Ramirez
Added to 40-man roster: OF Jose Constanza
Removed from 40-man: SS Diory Hernandez (outrighted to Triple-A)
Optioned to Triple-A: OF Wilkin Ramirez
Option transferred: RHP Randall Delgado (Double-A to Triple-A)
Placed on 60-day DL: LHP Andy Otero
Reinstated from DL: RHP Evan Danieli, RHP Steven Shell, OF Todd Cunningham

Randall Delgado joins the Braves' other top pitching prospects—Julio Teheran, Mike Minor and Arodys Vizcaino—with Triple-A Gwinnett, and given Atlanta's deep pitching staff, the foursome may play a larger role in the International League pennant drive than the National League one. Gwinnett sits 1 1/2 games behind Durham in the Southern Division. [...] Continue Reading »

This time: July 21-26

Players listed with an asterisk (*) signed minor league contracts, replacing major league pacts with the same organization. That's a fancy way of saying the player has been optioned or outrighted to the minors.

Numbers in parentheses indicate draft round.

Arizona Diamondbacks
Signed: SS Angel Berroa (Bridgeport (Atlantic))
Released: 3B Tyler Williams
Acquired: OF Michael Restovich from White Sox for cash considerations
Added to 40-man roster: RHP Ryan Cook, SS Cody Ransom, OF Collin Cowgill
Removed from 40-man: RHP Yhency Brazoban (outrighted to Triple-A)
Optioned to Triple-A: RHP Ryan Cook
Optioned to high Class A: RHP Trevor Bauer
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Jason Urquidez, SS Dan Kaczrowski, OF David Winfree

The Diamondbacks signed No. 3 overall draft pick Trevor Bauer to a four-year big league contract worth at least $4.45 million. They optioned him to high Class A Visalia.

In the midst of a career year for Triple-A Reno, Collin Cowgill ranks fourth in the Pacific Coast League batting race (.354), second in stolen bases (30), fourth in on-base percentage (.430) and first in runs scored (95).

Atlanta Braves
Signed: C Carlos Castro
Recalled: RHP Cristhian Martinez
Optioned to Triple-A: RHP Cory Gearrin, OF Wilkin Ramirez
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Tyler Hess, RHP Steven Shell, RHP Ryan Weber
Reinstated from DL: RHP Brett Butts, LHP Ronan Pacheco [...] Continue Reading »

Players listed with an asterisk (*) signed minor league contracts, replacing major league pacts with the same organization. That's a fancy way of saying the player has been optioned or outrighted to the minors.

Numbers in parentheses indicate draft round.

Arizona Diamondbacks
Signed: RHP Adam Osteen (White Sands (Pecos)), 1B Juan Miranda*, OF Breland Brown
Draft pick signed: 1B Jake Williams (49)
Recalled: RHP Barry Enright, RHP Bryan Shaw, 1B Brandon Allen
Removed from 40-man: 1B Juan Miranda (outrighted to Triple-A)
Optioned to Triple-A: RHP Barry Enright
Option transferred: RHP Yonata Ortega (High-A to Double-A)
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Armando Galarraga, 2B Matt Jensen
Reinstated from DL: RHP Josh Ellis

Atlanta Braves
Signed: C Nathan Raffle (NDFA—Penn State-Greater Allegheny)
Draft picks signed: RHP Clint Wright (22), LHP Sean Gilmartin (1)
Released: RHP Jonathan Burns, C Jesus Sucre, OF Jason Mowry, OF Hilton Richardson
Optioned to Triple-A: SS Brandon Hicks
Placed on 7-day DL: C Mike Brownsten, 1B Chris Carter, 3B Shawn Bowman, OF Adam Milligan
Reinstated from DL: RHP Wei Huang, LHP Ben Swaggerty, 3B Shawn Bowman, 3B Donell Linares, OF Hilton Richardson [...] Continue Reading »

Players listed with an asterisk (*) signed minor league contracts, replacing major league pacts with the same organization. That's a fancy way of saying the player has been optioned or outrighted to the minors.

Numbers in parentheses indicate draft round.

Arizona Diamondbacks
Signed: RHP D.J. Johnson (Traverse City (Frontier))
Released: RHP Rafael Rodriguez
Traded: RHP Matt Torra to Rays for cash considerations
Added to 40-man roster: RHP Yhency Brazoban, LHP Alberto Castillo, 3B Sean Burroughs
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Josh Ellis, 2B Mike Freeman
Reinstated from DL: RHP Armando Galarraga, RHP Daniel Stange, C Robby Hammock, OF David Winfree

Atlanta Braves
Signed: RHP Robert Roth (McAllen (North American)), C Victor Gomez (NDFA—Marshall), OF Sean Henry (Road Warriors (Atlantic))
Draft picks signed: RHP Mark Lamm (6), SS Seth Moranda (11)
Released: RHP Thomas Berryhill, RHP Eddie Morlan, LHP Stephen Foster
Recalled: RHP Cory Gearrin, SS Brandon Hicks
Optioned to Triple-A: RHP Jairo Asencio, RHP Cristhian Martinez
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Kenshin Kawakami, RHP Kyle Mertins, LHP Ben Swaggerty, 1B Jakob Dalfonso, 3B Donell Linares, OF Adam Milligan, OF Antoan Richardson, OF Hilton Richardson
Transferred to 60-day DL: RHP Reidy Escobar, C Ramon de los Santos
Reinstated from DL: RHP Luis De Luna, RHP Daniel Lopez, RHP Henry Mendez, RHP Ryan Weber, C Braeden Schlehuber, 2B Alejandro Sanchez, OF Adam Milligan, OF Antoan Richardson, OF Will Skinner [...] Continue Reading »

Players listed with an asterisk (*) signed minor league contracts, replacing major league pacts with the same organization. That's a fancy way of saying the player has been optioned or outrighted to the minors.

Numbers in parentheses indicate draft round.

Arizona Diamondbacks
Signed: RHP Jason Postill (NDFA—West Florida), RHP Drew Zizinia (NDFA—Tulane)
Optioned to Triple-A: RHP Bryan Shaw, RHP Esmerling Vasquez
Reinstated from DL: 1B Andy Tracy

Atlanta Braves
Draft pick signed: RHP Adam Holland (16)
Released: SS Kyle Davis
Elected free agency: OF Joe Mather
Removed from 40-man: OF Joe Mather (outrighted to Triple-A)
Optioned to Triple-A: LHP Mike Minor, LHP Dustin Richardson
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Evan Danieli, RHP Reidy Escobar, RHP Daniel Lopez, LHP Ronan Pacheco, C Ramon de los Santos, OF Todd Cunningham, OF Will Skinner
Reinstated from DL: 1B Chris Garcia, 2B Matt Weaver

The Braves claimed Dustin Richardson on waivers from the Marlins, who in turn had acquired Richardson from the Red Sox last November for Andrew Miller. Florida cut Richardson to make room for Dewayne Wise on the 40-man, so apparently they weren't too keen on his work against lefthanded batters for Triple-A New Orleans. They went 15-for-44 (.341) with 10 walks and a homer. [...] Continue Reading »

Players listed with an asterisk (*) signed minor league contracts, replacing major league pacts with the same organization. That's a fancy way of saying the player has been optioned or outrighted to the minors.

Many veterans who sign minor league contracts negotiate opt-out clauses, so that in the event they're not in the big league by a certain date, they can ask for their release in order to sign with another organization. Most of these opt-out dates fall on or around June 15, so keep that in mind as you peruse the ranks of the released here.

Arizona Diamondbacks
Signed: RHP Jeff Bennett (Lancaster (Atlantic)), RHP Mike Lebo (NDFA—Lehigh), LHP Alberto Castillo
Draft picks signed: C Zach Jones (34), 1B John Griffin (21), OF Justin Bianco (3)
Added to 40-man roster: OF Wily Mo Pena
Removed from 40-man: 3B Sean Burroughs (outrighted to Triple-A)
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Miguel Pena, RHP Casey Upperman, LHP Cody Wheeler, 3B Michael Weber, OF Antonio Sepulveda
[...] Continue Reading »

Players listed with an asterisk (*) signed minor league contracts, replacing major league pacts with the same organization. That's a fancy way of saying the player has been optioned or outrighted to the minors.

Number in parentheses indicate draft round. Here we present 374 signings for your perusal.

Arizona Diamondbacks
Signed: RHP Conrad Flynn (NDFA—Tulane), RHP Sean Johnson (NDFA—Oral Roberts), LHP Keith Hessler (NDFA—Coastal Carolina), 1B Joe Weik (NDFA—Texas Christian), 3B Tyler Williams (NDFA—Pima (Ariz.) CC), SS Patrick Donahue (NDFA—Tampa), OF Marc Bourgeois (NDFA—Southern Mississippi)
Draft picks signed: RHP Alex Capaul (43), RHP Jesse Darrah (8), RHP Ross Gerdeman (35), RHP Raymond Hernandez (48), RHP Evan Marshall (4), RHP Dexter Price (30), RHP Truman Sample (28), RHP Seth Simmons (40), LHP Michael Blake (16), LHP John Pedrotty (13), LHP Taylor Siemens (18), LHP Elroy Urbina (37), C Brian Henry (36), C Steven Rodriguez (15), 2B Derek Luciano (44), 2B Danny Pulfer (19), 3B Ryan Court (23), SS John Leonard (9), SS Josh Parr (12), SS Garrett Weber (22), OF Chris Ellison (39), OF Kerry Jenkins (38)
Acquired: RHP Gaby Hernandez from White Sox for cash considerations
Added to 40-man roster: RHP Bryan Shaw
Optioned to Triple-A: LHP Zach Kroenke
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Armando Galarraga, RHP Kevin Mulvey, RHP Daniel Stange, 1B Andy Tracy
Reinstated from DL: RHP Josh Ellis

Atlanta Braves
Signed: RHP Gary Moran (River City (Frontier))
Draft picks signed: RHP Ryne Harper (37), RHP Cody Martin (7), RHP Charlie Robertson (27), RHP Greg Ross (18), LHP Matt Chaffee (12), LHP Mike Hashem (35), C Troy Snitker (19), 2B Tommy La Stella (8), 3B Kyle Kubitza (3), SS Kirk Walker (26), OF Chase Larsson (9), OF Sam Munson (23), OF Will Skinner (25)
Released: RHP Yoshinori Yamarin, LHP Steven Kent, LHP Shohei Sekiguchi, C Brendan Rowland, 2B Jim Linger, 2B Michael Noboa, 2B C.J. Retherford, OF Victor Cadette, OF Bobby Rauh
Recalled: LHP Mike Minor, SS Brandon Hicks
Optioned to Triple-A: RHP Cory Gearrin
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Ryan Weber, C Braeden Schlehuber, 1B Chris Garcia, 3B Shawn Bowman
Reinstated from DL: RHP Kenshin Kawakami, LHP Dimasther Delgado, LHP Ronan Pacheco, SS Mike Brownsten [...] Continue Reading »

Players listed with an asterisk (*) signed minor league contracts, replacing major league pacts with the same organization.

Number in parentheses indicates draft round. Read on to learn the identity of the first player to sign out of the 2011 draft.

Arizona Diamondbacks
Signed: RHP Yhency Brazoban, RHP Mike DeMark (York (Atlantic))
Traded: RHP Andrea Pizziconi to Royals for C Lucas May
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Charles Brewer

The Padres signed Mike DeMark out of the Frontier League in ’07 and he rose to some degree of prospect relevance in the organization prior to his release this spring. He reestablished his case in the Atlantic League this spring with a 17-to-4 strikeout-to-walk ratio over 10 1/3 innings, piquing Arizona's interest. The Diamondbacks, of course, are now headed by San Diego expatriates Kevin Towers and his assistant Bill Bryk.

The 26-year-old Lucas May effectively replaces John Hester, the player to be named in the Mark Reynolds trade, as Triple-A catcher insurance. Outrighted off the Royals' 40-man roster this spring, May batted just .176/.263/.329 for Triple-A Omaha prior to the trade. Contrary to his recent Triple-A performance, he batted went just 3-for-26 (.115) versus lefties. [...] Continue Reading »

Players listed with an asterisk (*) signed minor league contracts, replacing major league pacts with the same organization.

Arizona Diamondbacks
Released: LHP Pat McAnaney
Recalled: LHP Zach Kroenke
Optioned to Triple-A: RHP Kam Mickolio
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Josh Ellis, C Robby Hammock
Reinstated from DL: LHP Pat McAnaney, LHP Jordan Norberto

Atlanta Braves
Signed: RHP Matt Frevert, RHP Aaron Shafer (Gateway (Frontier))
Traded: RHP Rodrigo Lopez to Cubs for LHP Ryan Buchter
Recalled: RHP Cory Gearrin, LHP Mike Minor
Optioned to Triple-A: RHP Jairo Asencio, OF Wilkin Ramirez
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Cory Rasmus, LHP Ronan Pacheco
Reinstated from DL: RHP Thomas Berryhill, C Braeden Schlehuber, OF Geraldo Rodriguez

Atlanta signed Rodrigo Lopez to a minor league deal in late January and, after he enjoyed a nice run with Triple-A Gwinnett, flipped him to the Cubs for hard-throwing, 24-year-old lefty reliever Ryan Buchter. With Chicago, Buchter flunked out of Double-A this season (6.55 ERA, 2.18 WHIP) but struck out 17 in 10 1/3 innings after a demotion to high Class A Daytona. The Braves kept him at the same level, with Lynchburg, after acquiring him. With improved control of his low-90s heat and a sharper slider, Buchter could work his way into a low-leverage relief role. [...] Continue Reading »

Players listed with an asterisk (*) signed minor league contracts, replacing major league pacts with the same organization.

Find signing scouts for all players to make their big league debuts this season, including Charlie Furbush and Pete Kozma.

Arizona Diamondbacks
Signed: RHP Armando Galarraga*
Recalled: RHP Kam Mickolio
Added to 40-man roster: RHP Micah Owings, 3B Sean Burroughs
Removed from 40-man: RHP Armando Galarraga (outrighted to Triple-A)
Placed on 7-day DL: LHP Jordan Norberto, 1B Bobby Stone
Reinstated from DL: RHP Josh Ellis, RHP Tyler Green

Atlanta Braves
Signed: RHP Steven Shell, 2B Julio Lugo
Released: RHP Wes Alsup, RHP Tim Gustafson
Recalled: RHP Jairo Asencio, RHP Julio Teheran, OF Jordan Schafer
Added to 40-man roster: OF Wilkin Ramirez
Optioned to Triple-A: RHP Cory Gearrin, RHP Julio Teheran
Placed on 7-day DL: LHP Dimasther Delgado, C Braeden Schlehuber, OF Geraldo Rodriguez
Transferred to 60-day DL: RHP Stephen Marek, LHP Chad Rodgers
Reinstated from DL: RHP Erik Cordier, RHP David Hale, C Jesus Sucre
Reinstated from inactive list: OF Mycal Jones

The Braves signed 28-year-old Steven Shell to replace Stephen Marek (Tommy John surgery) in the Triple-A Gwinnett bullpen. Shell signed on with the Royals in the offseason and pitched eight times in relief for Triple-A Omaha, notching 11 strikeouts and four walks in 12 1/3 innings. He also allowed 19 hits and three home runs, though, which explains his 8.03 ERA. [...] Continue Reading »

Players listed with an asterisk (*) signed minor league contracts, replacing major league pacts with the same organization.

The Royals have debuted seven shiny new rookies this season, and they're not done yet. Mike Moustakas and Mike Montgomery are heating up for Triple-A Omaha. Keep up with all 2011 big league debuts, complete with their draft/signing status and their signing scouts.

Arizona Diamondbacks
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Tyler Green

Atlanta Braves
Signed: SS Kyle Davis
Released: 1B Riaan Spanjer-Furstenburg
Placed on suspended list: OF Mycal Jones
Added to 40-man roster: RHP Scott Proctor
Placed on 7-day DL: C Jesus Sucre
Reinstated from DL: 3B Donell Linares, 3B Dan Nelson, OF Adam Milligan

Riaan Spanjer-Furstenburg won MVP honors in the ’09 Appalachian League for hitting .359 and winning the batting title, but he's done little of note since. The 23-year-old batted .188/.212/.266 (12-for-64) for high Class A Lynchburg prior to his release.

Police arrested Mycal Jones early on the morning of May 13 and charged him with DUI. The Braves converted the erstwhile shortstop (43 errors in 125 games last year) to center field at Double-A Mississippi this season. [...] Continue Reading »

Players listed with an asterisk (*) signed minor league contracts, replacing major league pacts with the same organization.

Arizona Diamondbacks
Released: LHP Ron Mahay
Optioned to Triple-A: RHP Barry Enright
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Chase Anderson, RHP Josh Ellis, OF David Winfree
Reinstated from DL: RHP Charles Brewer, OF Adam Eaton

Atlanta Braves
Signed: RHP Jeremy Haynes, 1B Chris Garcia (re-signed)
Released: RHP Jay Sborz
Recalled: SS Diory Hernandez
Added to 40-man roster: RHP Julio Teheran
Optioned to Triple-A: RHP Julio Teheran, SS Brandon Hicks
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Jason Lowey, 2B Mike Brownsten, 2B Matt Weaver, 3B Donell Linares, 3B Dan Nelson, OF Willie Cabrera, OF Adam Milligan, OF Kyle Rose
Reinstated from DL: RHP Jay Sborz, SS Mycal Jones, OF Willie Cabrera

The Braves cut Chris Garcia on April 3 but recently re-signed him to play first base for low Class A Rome after promoting Barrett Kleinknecht to high Class A. The R-Braves last night cleared the 10-win hurdle (10-24), leaving the Mariners' low Class A Clinton outfit (9-26) as the only minor league club with a single digit in the win column. Garcia, by the way, ranked No. 3 on last year's Independent Leagues Top 10 Prospects list.

Top pitching prospect Julio Teheran served up a home run to Ryan Howard in his big league debut, a 4 2/3 inning stint in which he yielded three runs. A scout recently weighed in on Teheran's projected impact, both immediate and long-term. [...] Continue Reading »