Here we present official minor league transactions, conveyed to us by Major League Baseball, for the period June 25-July 2.

Any player listed with an asterisk (*) signed a minor league contract with the organization after being removed from the 40-man roster and clearing waivers.

Please see the Baseball America Draft Database for much more detailed information on draft picks, including scouting reports (for subscribers), select signing bonuses and a running tally of team spending.

Arizona Diamondbacks
Recalled: RHP Trevor Bauer, LHP Pat Corbin
Optioned to Triple-A: RHP Jonathan Albaladejo, 3B Josh Bell
Placed on 7-day DL: C Mark Reed
Reinstated from DL: RHP Bryan Henry, C Zach Jones

Atlanta Braves
Signed: RHP Donovan Drake (Windy City (Frontier)), LHP Fabian Williamson (Winnipeg (American Association)), 2B Bobby Stevens (released by Orioles)
Draft picks signed: LHP David Starn (7), OF Fernelys Sanchez (16)
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Brett Cammons, C Chad Comer
Reinstated from DL: LHP Ryan Buchter, OF Cory Harrilchak

Baltimore Orioles
Draft pick signed: RHP Jake Pintar (29)
Released: 3B Miguel Tejada
Traded: RHP Kyle Simon and C Gabriel Lino to Phillies for 1B Jim Thome
Recalled: RHP Miguel Gonzalez, RHP Steve Johnson, OF Xavier Avery
Optioned to Triple-A: RHP Tommy Hunter, LHP Brian Matusz, 2B Steven Tolleson, OF Xavier Avery
Designated for assignment: LHP Zach Phillips
Placed on 7-day DL: LHP Jorge Rivera, LHP Rich Rundles, C Zach Booker, 2B Nikcy Delmonico
Reinstated from DL: C Adam Davis, C Scott Thomas [...] Continue Reading »

Here we present official minor league transactions, conveyed to us by Major League Baseball, for the period June 19-24.

Please see the Baseball America Draft Database for much more detailed information on draft picks, including scouting reports (for subscribers), select signing bonuses and a running tally of team spending

Arizona Diamondbacks
Signed: OF Michael Lang (Sioux City (American Association))
Released: OF Henry Zabala
Recalled: RHP Jonathan Albaladejo
Placed on 7-day DL: OF Alfredo Marte, RHP Robert Buller, RHP Cesse DeJesus, RHP Bryan Henry, RHP Juan Valdez
Reinstated from DL: 3B Raoul Torrez

Atlanta Braves
Signed: LHP Brent Leach (released by Dodgers)
Draft pick signed: RHP Kevin McKague (23)
Released: C Victor Gomez
Recalled: RHP Jair Jurrjens
Optioned to Triple-A: RHP Todd Redmond
Placed on 7-day DL: 2B Fernando de los Santos, OF Cory Harrilchak, OF Matt Lipka
Reinstated from DL: RHP Caleb Brewer [...] Continue Reading »

This time: June 12-18

Here we present official minor league transactions, conveyed to us by Major League Baseball, for the period June 12-18.

Any player listed with an asterisk (*) signed a minor league contract with the organization after being removed from the 40-man roster and clearing waivers.

Please see the Baseball America Draft Database for much more detailed information on draft picks, including scouting reports (for subscribers), select signing bonuses and a running tally of team spending

Arizona Diamondbacks
Signed: RHP Tanner Hamilton (NDFA—Houston-Victoria), RHP Eric Meyerchick (Windy City (Frontier)), RHP Michael Rivera (NDFA—Fresno Pacific), RHP Patrick Smith (NDFA—Palomar (Calif.) JC), RHP Justin Thompson (NDFA—Virginia), 1B Kyle Koeneman (NDFA—Carson-Newman (Tenn.)), OF Brian Billigen (NDFA—Cornell), OF Shaun Cooper (NDFA—Utah)
Draft picks signed: RHP Ben Eckels (11), RHP Blake Forslund (15), RHP R.J. Hively (19), RHP Andrew Potter (31), 1B Rudy Flores (21), 2B Kevin Medrano (18), 3B Mark Ginther (24), 3B Jake Lamb (6), 3B Joe Munoz (2), SS Andrew Velazquez (7), OF Yogey Perez-Ramos (17)
Released: RHP Jeff Shields, OF Archie Gilbert
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Teofilo Gutierrez, C Zach Jones, 2B Matt Jensen, 3B Raoul Torrez
Reinstated from DL: RHP Chase Anderson

Atlanta Braves
Signed: RHP D.J. Carrasco (released by Mets), OF Alejandro Piloto
Draft pick signed: C Josh Elander (6)
Released: RHP Dave Kubiak, RHP Matt Suschak, 2B Sergio Miranda, 2B Alejandro Sanchez, OF Abner Abreu, OF Chris Bullard
Acquired: LHP Cole McCurry from Orioles and 3B Jason Christian from Reds for cash considerations
Loaned to Mexican League: RHP Jesus Cambuston (to Quintana Roo)
Recalled: RHP Kris Medlen, RHP Todd Redmond, RHP Anthony Varvaro
Optioned to Triple-A: RHP Cory Gearrin
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Adam Holland, 3B Barrett Kleinknecht
Placed on 60-day DL: LHP Oriel Caicedo, LHP Andy Otero
Reinstated from DL: LHP Ronan Pacheco [...] Continue Reading »

Here we present official minor league transactions, conveyed to us by Major League Baseball, for the period June 5-11.

Please see the Baseball America Draft Database for much more detailed information on draft picks, including scouting reports (for subscribers), select signing bonuses and a running tally of team spending.

Arizona Diamondbacks
Signed: RHP Donny Medlinger (NDFA—Cal State Monterey Bay), RHP Kyle Owings (NDFA—College of Charleston), LHP Harry Marino (NDFA—Williams (Mass.)), 3B Ryan Fuller (NDFA—Connecticut)
Draft picks signed: RHP Jake Barrett (3), RHP Jeff Gibbs (9), RHP Jonathan Pulley (33), RHP Derrick Stultz (14), LHP Daniel Watts (32), C Ronnie Freeman (5), C Phildrick Llewellyn (13), C Stryker Trahan (1), 1B Jacob House (20), OF Breland Almadova (37), OF Danny Poma (10), OF Charles Taylor (4)
Released: 1B Randy Ruiz
Recalled: OF A.J. Pollock
Optioned to Triple-A: OF A.J. Pollock
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Mike Bolsinger, 3B Carter Bell
Reinstated from DL: OF Kyle Greene

College of Charleston senior righthander Kyle Owings is the older brother of Diamondbacks prospect Chris Owings, a 20-year-old shortstop for high Class A Visalia who's batting .326/.366/.551 with 11 homers in 227 at-bats.

Arizona released veteran minor league slugger (and ’09 Pacific Coast League MVP) Randy Ruiz so that he could pursue an opportunity to play in Japan, where he spent time with Rakuten in ’10 and ’11. This time around, Yokohama appeared to have the most interest in the 34-year-old Ruiz.

Atlanta Braves
Draft picks signed: RHP Christian Barczykowski (27), RHP Jaden Dillon (29), RHP Jeremy Fitzgerald (21), RHP Michael Flores (24), RHP Nathan Hyatt (13), RHP David Peterson (8), RHP Steven Schils (9), RHP Shae Simmons (22), RHP Luke Sims (1), RHP Alex Wilson (15), LHP Brandon Rohde (25), LHP Alex Wood (2), C Bryan de la Rosa (3), C Tyler Tewell (14), 1B Casey Kalenkosky (30), 2B Ross Heffley (18), 2B Levi Hyams (19), 3B Mike Dodig (10), 3B Trenton Moses (26), SS Kraig Clabough (28), SS Eric Garcia (20), OF Chase Anselment (17), OF Justin Black (4), OF Blake Brown (5), OF Connor Lien (12)
Released: OF Kyle Rose
Recalled: RHP Cory Gearrin, RHP Julio Teheran
Optioned to Triple-A: RHP Julio Teheran, C J.C. Boscan, OF Jose Constanza
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Caleb Brewer, LHP Ryan Buchter, LHP Ronan Pacheco, OF Collin DeLome
Reinstated from DL: OF Matt Lipka [...] Continue Reading »

Here we present official minor league transactions, conveyed to us by Major League Baseball, for the two-week period May 24-June 4.

Players listed with an asterisk (*) signed a minor league contract with the organization after being removed from the 40-man roster and clearing waivers.

Arizona Diamondbacks
Signed: RHP Bobby O'Neill (released by Marlins)
Released: LHP Jason Lane, 3B Michael Weber
Recalled: OF A.J. Pollock
Optioned to Triple-A: C Konrad Schmidt, OF A.J. Pollock
Placed on 7-day DL: LHP Jason Lane, 3B Kyle Greene
Reinstated from DL: RHP Chris Jakubauskas, RHP Anthony Meo, LHP Jason Lane

In his first crack at pitching full time, Jason Lane put up a 7.59 ERA and 1.83 WHIP over 15 relief appearances with Triple-A Reno, but the 35-year-old notched a firm strikeout rate (7.9 per nine innings) and probably could latch on with another organization as a pitcher if he so desires. (One significant mark against the lefty: he allowed lefty batters to hit .447 and slug .658 against him this season in 46 showdowns.) Or Lane could resume hitting for a living—he put up an .818 OPS for Las Vegas as a corner outfielder a season ago.

Atlanta Braves
Signed: OF Collin DeLome (Bridgeport (Atlantic))
Released: RHP Gardner Adams, 1B Jakob Dalfonso
Acquired: 2B Ruben Gotay from Blue Jays for cash considerations
Recalled: OF Jose Constanza
Added to 40-man roster: C J.C. Boscan, SS Andrelton Simmons
Optioned to Triple-A: RHP Kris Medlen, SS Tyler Pastornicky
Placed on 7-day DL: OF Matt Lipka
Reinstated from DL: OF David Rohm

In the midst of a career season in Double-A, slick-fielding 22-year-old shortstop Andrelton Simmons received the call to Atlanta after batting .292/.372/.421 with three homers (a career high) and a 20-to-20 walk-to-strikeout ratio in 171 at-bats for Mississippi. [...] Continue Reading »

Here we present official minor league transactions, conveyed to us by Major League Baseball, for the period May 15-23. We will have no transactions update next week, but we'll return the week of June 4 with a jumbo edition.

Players listed with an asterisk (*) signed a minor league contract with the organization after being removed from the 40-man roster and clearing waivers.

Arizona Diamondbacks
Signed: RHP Gaby Hernandez (Joliet (Frontier))
Released: OF Chris Valencia
Recalled: C Konrad Schmidt, 3B Josh Bell
Removed from 40-man: OF David Winfree (outrighted to Triple-A)
Optioned to Triple-A: LHP Pat Corbin, OF A.J. Pollock
Option transferred: RHP Trevor Bauer (Double-A to Triple-A)
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Chase Anderson, RHP Anthony Meo, LHP Jason Lane, OF Tyler Graham
Reinstated from DL: LHP Jason Lane, C Mark Reed

Gaby Hernandez spent time with Triple-A Reno last season.

Atlanta Braves
Signed: LHP Ian Thomas (York (Atlantic)), 2B Sergio Miranda (released by Brewers), SS Lance Zawadzki (released by Dodgers), OF Abner Abreu (released by Cubs)
Released: OF Sam Munson
Traded: 2B Drew Sutton to Pirates for cash considerations
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Jason Rice, C Evan Gattis
Reinstated from DL: RHP Buddy Carlyle, LHP Chris Jones, C Christian Bethancourt [...] Continue Reading »

Here we present official minor league transactions, conveyed to us by Major League Baseball, for the period May 8-14.

Players listed with an asterisk (*) signed a minor league contract with the organization after being removed from the 40-man roster and clearing waivers.

Arizona Diamondbacks
Signed: OF Tyler Graham (released by Giants)
Released: 1B Bobby Stone
Traded: LHP Mike Belfiore to Orioles as player to be named for 3B Josh Bell
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Chris Jakubauskas
Reinstated from DL: RHP Jensen Lewis, RHP Kyle Winkler

The Giants designated Tyler Graham for assignment on May 1 then released him eight days later on May 9. The Diamondbacks assigned him to Triple-A Reno, and he's already familiar with the Pacific Coast League, having suited up for Fresno in each of the past our seasons. The 28-year-old Graham batted .297/.353/.376 with four homers and 100 steals in 925 plate appearances for the Grizzlies.

Atlanta Braves
Signed: OF Felix Pie (Camden (Atlantic))
Released: RHP Joe Lucas, LHP Cole Rohrbough, OF Ruben Rijkhof
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Erik Cordier, OF Jordan Parraz
Reinstated from DL: RHP Jarett Miller, LHP Luis Avilan

Cole Rohrbough peaked as the Braves' No. 6 prospect following the ’08 campaign, but his stock plummeted as he racked up disabled-list days (he totaled just 34 innings in the past three seasons). With low Class A Rome this season Rohrbough made eight relief appearances, during which he allowed six runs and 15 baserunners in 10 1/3 innings. [...] Continue Reading »

Here we present official minor league transactions, conveyed to us by Major League Baseball, for the period May 1-7.

Players listed with an asterisk (*) signed a minor league contract with the organization after being removed from the 40-man roster and clearing waivers.

Arizona Diamondbacks
Released: SS Tommy Manzella
Traded: LHP Tom Layne to Padres for future considerations
Placed on 7-day DL: C Mark Reed
Reinstated from DL: 3B Rusty Ryal, RHP Bryan Henry, RHP Chris Jakubauskas

Atlanta Braves
Signed: 2B Alden Carrithers (released by White Sox), RHP Dave Kubiak (released by Rays)
Released: LHP Ben Swaggerty, OF L.V. Ware
Placed on 7-day DL: LHP Chris Jones, RHP Buddy Carlyle
Reinstated from DL: C Shawn McGill, OF Kyle Rose, RHP Brett Cammons, RHP Greg Ross

Baltimore Orioles
Signed: C Dan Pellegrino (NDFA—UC Riverside), C Chase Weems (released by Rockies), OF Roberto Ortiz (released by Diamondbacks)
Released: C Jordan Wolf, LHP Nathan Moreau, LHP Luis Ramirez, RHP Luis Bernardo, RHP Kevin Landry, RHP Luis Lebron
Recalled: C Luis Exposito, RHP Jason Berken
Added to 40-man roster: RHP Stu Pomeranz
Optioned to Triple-A: C Ronny Paulino, RHP Tommy Hunter
Placed on 7-day DL: 1B Tyler Townsend, LHP Jake Pettit, OF Scott Beerer, OF Jeremy Nowak, OF John Ruettiger, RHP Jon Link
Reinstated from DL: C Wynston Sawyer, 2B Chris Tremblay, OF Steve Bumbry, RHP Jesse Beal, RHP Kevin Landry, RHP Luis Lebron

A 24-year-old Luis Lebron appeared poised for big things following his ’09 campaign in which he struck out 91 in 60 1/3 innings, reached Double-A and made Baltimore's 40-man roster in the offseason. Unfortunately, he had Tommy John surgery early in the ’10 season and hasn't been the same since. Lebron made just 12 rehab appearances last season and, prior to his release, had not yet pitched this season. [...] Continue Reading »

Here we present official minor league transactions, conveyed to us by Major League Baseball, for the period April 24-30.

Arizona Diamondbacks
Signed: C Kevin Dultz (NDFA—San Francisco State)
Recalled: RHP Joe Martinez
Added to 40-man roster: LHP Pat Corbin, LHP Mike Zagurski
Optioned to Triple-A: RHP Jonathan Albaladejo, RHP Joe Martinez, LHP Joe Paterson
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Chris Jakubauskas, RHP Jensen Lewis
Reinstated from DL: RHP Jeremy Erben, 2B David Nick

The Diamondbacks summoned Pat Corbin from Double-A to take Josh Collmenter's rotation spot. Though his ceiling may be lower, Corbin beat Mobile teammates Trevor Bauer and Tyler Skaggs to the big leagues. Can he pitch well enough to hold a rotation spot when they arrive?

Atlanta Braves
Signed: OF Tim Smith (released by Royals)
Released: LHP Richard Sullivan
Recalled: RHP Cory Gearrin
Optioned to Triple-A: RHP Cory Gearrin, RHP Jair Jurrjens, RHP Anthony Varvaro
Placed on 7-day DL: LHP Yean Carlos Gil, C Christian Bethancourt, OF Kyle Rose
Reinstated from DL: LHP Dimasther Delgado

Groundballing lefty Richard Sullivan first reached Double-A Mississippi in ’09, one year after being drafted in the 11th round out of NAIA Savannah College of Art & Design, but he never cleared the Southern League hurdle. He made 88 career appearances for the M-Braves, logging a 5.16 ERA, strikeout rate of 7.1 per nine innings and 1.56 WHIP over 209 innings. [...] Continue Reading »

Here we present official minor league transactions, conveyed to us by Major League Baseball, for the period April 17-23.

Arizona Diamondbacks
Released: RHP Juan Falcon
Recalled: RHP Jonathan Albaladejo
Added to 40-man roster: SS Cody Ransom, OF A.J. Pollock
Optioned to Triple-A: 3B Josh Bell
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Bryan Henry

The Diamondbacks acquired Josh Bell from the Orioles, sending a player to be named to Baltimore. The 25-year-old third baseman began the season in a 3-for-32 funk with Triple-A Norfolk prior to the trade. (See the Orioles entry for more on Bell.)

Atlanta Braves
Released: C Ryan Delgado, SS Ozzie Chavez, OF Brahiam Maldonado, OF Elieser Salmeron
Placed on 7-day DL: LHP Luis Avilan, OF Chase Larsson, OF David Rohm
Reinstated from DL: SS Ozzie Chavez, OF Todd Cunningham, OF Will Skinner, OF Keenan Wiley [...] Continue Reading »

This time: April 10-16

Arizona Diamondbacks
Released: RHP Miles Reagan, RHP Daniel Stange, RHP Casey Upperman
Optioned to Triple-A: OF David Winfree
Placed on 7-day DL: 2B David Nick
Reinstated from DL: C Ryan Budde

A seventh-round pick from UC Riverside in ’06, Daniel Stange ranked as the Diamondbacks' No. 12 prospect in ’09 and reached Arizona for four games the following season. He's pitched almost exclusively for Triple-A Reno since ’10, but the results have been shaky (1.92 WHIP in 63 innings) as he made just 47 appearances. The 26-year-old Stange worked to 19 batters this season with the Aces, allowing 14 to reach base while striking out two others.

Atlanta Braves
Released: 3B Kirk Walker
Optioned to Triple-A: OF Jose Constanza
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Jarett Miller, RHP Greg Ross, OF Todd Cunningham, OF Will Skinner
Reinstated from DL: OF L.V. Ware [...] Continue Reading »

A quick installment this time, taking us from Opening Day through Monday, April 6.

Players listed with an asterisk (*) signed a minor league contract with the organization after being removed from the 40-man roster and clearing waivers.

Atlanta Braves
Placed on 7-day DL: LHP Dimasther Delgado, LHP Chad Rodgers, OF Keenan Wiley

Baltimore Orioles
Signed: LHP Dana Eveland*
Released: RHP Armando Galarraga
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Ryan O'Shea, LHP Ashur Tolliver, C Zach Booker, C Kyle Moore, C Joel Polanco, OF Steve Bumbry

Boston Red Sox
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Leandro Marin, RHP Anthony Ranaudo, 2B Zach Gentile, OF Matthew Johnson [...] Continue Reading »

The wait is over. This transactions update takes you through the end of spring training, so you can find out which players came closest to making the big league roster but were optioned to the minors during the final roster cuts, which players begin the season on the disabled list and which players will seek to carry on with new organizations after being released. You'll find 860 individual transactions in all.

• Teams released the following Article XX(B) major league free agents so that they could subsequently re-sign them to minor league contracts with modified terms (read about the original terms here): Josh Bard (Dodgers), Russ Branyan (Yankees), Jason Michaels (Nationals), Xavier Nady (Nationals) and Corey Patterson (Brewers). Nady made the Nationals' Opening Day roster.

• This piece highlights all the players to make Opening Day big league rosters after entering camp on minor league contracts.

Players listed with an asterisk (*) signed a minor league contract with the organization after being removed from the 40-man roster and clearing waivers.

Arizona Diamondbacks
Released: RHP Bryan Escanio, RHP Chris Odegaard, RHP Ryan Quigley, RHP Billy Spottiswood, RHP Brad Wilson, LHP Justin Albert, LHP Adam Kudryk, LHP Dan Taylor, SS Brent Greer, OF Jason Patton
Traded: RHP Robby Rowland to Pirates as compensation for major league Rule 5 selection RHP Brett Lorin
Removed from 40-man: RHP Brett Lorin (outrighted to Double-A), LHP Mike Zagurski (outrighted to Triple-A)
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Jeremy Erben, RHP Kyle Winkler, C Ryan Budde, 3B Rusty Ryal, OF Ollie Linton

Atlanta Braves
Released: RHP Jason Lowey, RHP Henry Mendez, LHP Jesus Martinez, 2B Danny Richar, 3B Donell Linares, 3B Dan Nelson, OF Kenny Fleming, OF Sean Henry
Acquired: OF Christian Marrero from White Sox for cash considerations
Optioned to Triple-A: RHP Cory Gearrin, RHP Julio Teheran
Option transferred: LHP Luis Avilan (Triple-A to Double-A)
Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Brett Cammons, RHP Peter Moylan, RHP Benino Pruneda, C Shawn McGill, SS Ozzie Chavez, OF L.V. Ware [...] Continue Reading »

You can see them at virtually any minor league game in the country, yet the work they contribute to major league organizations tends to be invisible to the public.

Professional scouting departments scour the minors all season, trying to identify prospects who can swing a trade in their organization's favor. They work overtime—in spring training, in instructional league, in Latin American winter leagues—to find players who could, at the very least, provide complementary value as minor league free agent acquisitions or Rule 5 draft picks.

Pro scouts receive some measure of recognition each July, when out-of-contention teams cash in their veterans for new blood. Behind every minor leaguer who changes teams at the trade deadline, at least one set of eyes has scouted and recommended him.

Likewise, Opening Day provides an opportunity for pro scouting departments to showcase their worth. That's because many of the biggest surprises on Opening Day rosters happen to be players brought to spring training on minor league contracts after being vetted by pro scouts. Let's look at the players who made big league rosters out of spring training after signing minor league deals in the offseason, meaning that organizations had to create room for them on the 40-man roster. [...] Continue Reading »

For many players, the mid- to late portion of spring training brings assignments to minor league camp in preparation for the season. For others, it brings to an end their time with the organization that in many cases originally signed them. The tally of released players hits 227 this time around, and most of them will seek other opportunities in professional baseball.

For updates on the status of Article XX(B) free agents on minor league contracts, such as Trever Miller and Ramon Ortiz from this installment of transactions, be sure to check out this blog post. The deadline looms on March 30 for teams to make decisions on nearly three dozen veterans.

Players listed with an asterisk (*) signed a minor league contract with the organization after being removed from the 40-man roster and clearing waivers.

Arizona Diamondbacks
Released: RHP Brian Budrow, RHP Keith Cantwell, RHP Berling Cruz, RHP Randy Hamrick, RHP Trevor Harden, RHP Victor Lara, RHP Mike MacDonald, C Elvin Delgado, 3B Patrick Donahue, 3B Derek Luciano, SS Stephen Cardullo, OF Jeremia Gomez, OF Justin Hilt, OF Roberto Ortiz, OF Domingo Soriano
Optioned to Triple-A: RHP Sam Demel, RHP Barry Enright, OF David Winfree
Optioned to Double-A: RHP Trevor Bauer

Trevor Bauer worked 10 innings in big league camp, where he struck out nine and allowed 11 hits and only one walk. If he keeps that up he may not be long with Double-A Mobile.

Atlanta Braves
Released: RHP Danilo Alvarez, RHP Jeremy Haynes, RHP Tyler Hess, RHP Lucas LaPoint, RHP Daniel Lopez, RHP Kyle Mertins, RHP Angelo Paulino, RHP Aaron Shafer, RHP Dan Winnie, LHP Chris Cody, LHP Lenny Hardy, OF Jake Rife, OF Brian Stamps
Acquired: SS Greg Paiml from White Sox for cash considerations [...] Continue Reading »

Players listed with an asterisk (*) signed a minor league contract with the organization after being removed from the 40-man roster and clearing waivers.

Arizona Diamondbacks
Optioned to Triple-A: RHP Jonathan Albaladejo, RHP Joe Martinez, C Konrad Schmidt, OF Cole Gillespie
Removed from 40-man: LHP Zach Kroenke (outrighted to Triple-A)

Atlanta Braves
Optioned to Triple-A: RHP Jaye Chapman, RHP Erik Cordier, RHP J.J. Hoover, RHP Todd Redmond, LHP Luis Avilan

Baltimore Orioles
Signed: 2B Josh Barfield
Optioned to Triple-A: 1B Joe Mahoney
Optioned to Double-A: RHP Oliver Drake [...] Continue Reading »

Players listed with an asterisk (*) signed a minor league contract with the organization after being removed from the 40-man roster and clearing waivers.

Arizona Diamondbacks
Signed: RHP Chris Pack (Joliet (Frontier)), RHP Bo Schultz (Grand Prairie (American Association)), OF Jason Patton (River City (Frontier)), OF Miles Walding (NDFA—Huntingdon (Ala.))
Optioned to Double-A: RHP Yonata Ortega

After signing indy leaguers Ryan Quigley and Chris Valencia a couple weeks ago, the Diamondbacks continued their independent shopping spree, signing three more players who finished ’11 out of affiliated ball.

Chris Pack played college ball at Villanova [Correction: He spent his senior season at Illinois. ME] and latched on in the Frontier League last July after going undrafted. He ran up a 4.61 ERA, 1.61 WHIP and 22-17 K-BB ratio in 22 relief appearances for Joliet. Pack sits 90-93 mph and reportedly drew some interest from the Marlins last year before injury concerns scared them off.

The Athletics released Bo Schultz last April, and he has three years of affiliated experience.

Baltimore Orioles
Optioned to Triple-A: 2B Ryan Adams, 3B Josh Bell
Optioned to low Class A: RHP Dylan Bundy [...] Continue Reading »

While baseball's new Collective Bargaining Agreement overhauled the way teams will go about acquiring amateur talent, the new accord also affected signing terms for nearly three dozen professional players this offseason.

Any player with sufficient major league tenure and free agent status who signed a minor league deal this offseason gains two new perks if his signing organization assigns him to the minors at the outset of the 2012 season. To wit, all qualifying players receive a six-figure bonus and a guaranteed midseason opt-out date. From the summary of the new CBA, which the owners and players signed in December:

Article XX(B) free agents signing minor league contracts who are not added to the Opening Day roster or unconditionally released 5 days prior to Opening Day shall receive an additional $100,000 retention bonus and the right to opt out on June 1.

An Article XX(B) free agent is simply one with six or more years of major league service whose big league contract expired at the conclusion of last season. The MLB Players Association published the full list of 2011 Article XX(B) free agents last November, and player examples range from superstars like Albert Pujols and Prince Fielder to complementary players like Willie Harris and Chad Durbin. In the past, Article XX(B) free agents had to negotiate their own opt-out dates for their unconditional release from minor league contracts, but such a clause now becomes mandatory.  [...] Continue Reading »

Players listed with an asterisk (*) signed a minor league contract with the organization after being removed from the 40-man roster and clearing waivers.

Arizona Diamondbacks
Signed: 1B Randy Ruiz (Rakuten (Japan))

Randy Ruiz won the Pacific Coast League's MVP award in ’09, when he batted .320/.392/.584 with 25 home runs for Las Vegas. He latched on with Rakuten of Japan's Pacific League in ’10 and put up a .784 OPS with 12 homers in 81 games, though he fell on harder times in ’11, batting .195 with 44 strikeouts in 128 at-bats. The 34-year-old Ruiz is one of baseball's most traveled players, having played for eight organizations, domestic and international, in the last six years.

Atlanta Braves
Released: RHP Reidy Escobar

Baltimore Orioles
Signed: RHP Josh Banks (Long Island (Atlantic)), RHP Miguel Gonzalez
Released: RHP Josh Dowdy

Miguel Angel Gonzalez spent much of last season with Boston's Double-A Portland affiliate, striking out 45 and walking 19 in 46 2/3 innings. The Red Sox released him in December. [...] Continue Reading »

Players listed with an asterisk (*) signed a minor league contract with the organization after being removed from the 40-man roster and clearing waivers.

Arizona Diamondbacks
Signed: RHP Ryan Quigley (Joliet (Frontier)), OF Chris Valencia (Brockton (Can-Am))
Released: RHP Kevin Mulvey, RHP Andrew Wolcott

Not to be confused with the lefthanded Ryan Quigley who pitched in the Athletics organization from ’09 to ’11, this Ryan Quigley set the Frontier League's saves record last season with 28 while also striking out 72 batters in 42 2/3 innings. He went undrafted out of Chicago's St. Xavier University in ’07 and logged five years in the Frontier League before getting noticed by the Diamondbacks. Quigley has an average fastball and breaking ball, and he could provide solid organization depth.

Arizona made a second foray into independent ball with the signing of speedy center fielder Chris Valencia from the Can-Am League. The 24-year-old batted .342/.379/.500 in 386 at-bats for Brockton last season, collecting five homers, 38 doubles-plus-triples and 41 steals. Scouts assess his speed, range and arm as average-to-slightly-above tools. Valencia played college ball at NAIA Lewis-Clark State (Idaho) College, signing on with Brockton in April ’09.

Atlanta Braves
Released: LHP Amilcar Gaxiola [...] Continue Reading »