- The Washington Nationals activated shortstop Cristian Guzman from the 15-day disabled list and optioned infielder Alberto Gonzalez.
- The Colorado Rockies placed utility man Jeff Baker on the 15-day disabled list with a sprained left-hand and recalled outfielder Matt Murton.
- The Los Angleles Dodgers optioned left-handed pitcher Scott Elbert. The move frees a spot for right-handed reliever Cory Wade to be activated from the disabled list.
- The Chicago White Sox have recalled outfielder Scott Podsendnik, which means outfielder Jerry Owens is likely to be deignated for assignment.
- The Cleveland Indians placed designated hitter Travis Hafner on the 15-day disabled list with soreness and fatigue in his right shoulder. Left-handed pitcher Rich Rundles was recalled.
- The Milwaukee Brewers placed backup catcher Mike Rivera on the 15-day disabled list with a high ankle sprain and recalled catcher Carlos Corporan.
- The St. Louis Cardinals placed infielder Brendan Ryan on the 15-day disabled and recalled infielder Tyler Greene.
- The Oakland Athletics placed second baseman Mark Ellis and infielder Nomar Garciaparra on the 15-day disabled list. The team recalled infielder Eric Patterson and righty reliever Kevin Cameron.
- Pittsburgh Pirates prospect Jose Tabata will miss 4 to 6 weeks with a strained right hamstring.
- The Colorado Rockies are likely to name pitcher Huston Street the team’s closer after Manuel Corpas‘ struggled in the role.
April 30, 2009
Minor Moves and News From 4/29/09 and 4/30/09
April 28, 2009
More Moves and News From 4/28/09
- Right-handed reliever Joel Hanrahan is being removed from the closer role and the Washington Nationals will use a closer-by-committe system to fill the postion.
- The Cincinnati Reds placed third baseman Edwin Encarnacion on the 15-day disabled list and recalled infielder Adam Rosales.
- Texas Rangers pitcher Josh Rupe has cleared waivers and been assigned to Triple-A.
- If third baseman Emilio Bonifacio continues to struggle for the Florida Marlins, the team could turn to Gaby Sanchez.
- The New York Yankees recalled pitcher Phil Hughes to start today and optioned pitcher Steven Jackson.
- The recently DFA’d Steven Shell has cleared waivers and decided to become a free agent. Wil Ledezma will accept a minor league assignment.
- The Detroit Tigers recalled left-handed pitcher Clay Rapada and optioned utilityman Jeff Larish.
- The Baltimore Orioles activated third baseman Melvin Mora from the 15-day disabled list and optioned pitcher Matt Albers.
- The Houston Astros placed closer Jose Valverde on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to April 27 and recalled right-handed pitcher Jeff Fulchino.
Minor Moves and News From 4/27/09 and 4/28/09
- The San Diego Padres placed right-handed pitcher Shawn Hill on the 15-day disabled list and recalled infielder Drew Macias.
- The San Francisco Giants recalled infielder Eugenio Velez and placed outfielder Andres Torres on the 15-day disabled list.
- The Boston Red Sox activated shortstop Julio Lugo from the 15-day disabled list and optioned right-handed pitcher Michael Bowden.
- The Washington Nationals activated infielder/outfielder Willie Harris from the 15-day disabled list and optioned outfielder Justin Maxwell.
- The San Diego Padres purchased the contract of pitcher Chad Gaudin from Triple-A and designated right-handed relief pitcher Eulogio De La Cruz for assignment.
Mets DFA Fossum
The New York Mets designated left-handed pitcher Casey Fossum for assignment. The move allows the Mets to recall left-handed pitcher Ken Takahashi. Fossum, 31, had a 5.66 ERA in 41.1 innings pitched last season. Takahashi, 40, has spent his entire career pitching in Japan.
Royals DFA Brayan Pena
The Kansas City Royals designated catcher Brayan Pena for assignment. The move makes room for outfielder Jose Guillen on the team’s 25-man roster. The Royals chose to designate Pena for assignment instead of optioning outfielder Mitch Maier. Pena, 27, hit .303/.376/.462 in 266 plate appearances in Triple-A last season.
Pena was once highly touted in Atlanta, but after Brian McCann’s emergence he became an afterthought and was designated for assignment. At 27, Pena can still make a name for himself, but a backup catching position seems like his ceiling right now.
April 26, 2009
Minor Moves and News From 4/26/09
- The Arizona Diamondbacks placed shortstop Stephen Drew on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to April 25 and optioned left-handed pitcher Doug Slaten to Triple-A Reno. Arizona purchased the contract of infielder Josh Wilson and recalled right-handed pitcher Esmerling Vasquez.
- The Pittsburgh Pirates placed right-handed reliever Craig Hansen on the 15-day disabled list and recalled pitcher Evan Meek. The Pirates also placed shortstop Jack Wilson on the disabled list and recalled shortstop Brian Bixler.
- The Boston Red Sox recalled right-hander Michael Bowden to pitch in relief and optioned shortstop Gil Vilasquez.
- The Detroit Tigers placed backup catcher Matt Treanor will miss 2 to 3 months due to surgery on a torn labrum. The team recalled catcher Dane Sardinha.
- Alfonso Soriano has been moved back to the leadoff spot for the Chicago Cubs, were he will stay for the remainder of the season.
- The Milwaukee Brewers activated closer Trevor Hoffman from the disabled list and optioned left-handed pitcher R.J. Swindle.
- Chicago White Sox second baseman Chris Getz could be placed on the disabled list with a fractured finger. For now, Gets is listed as day-to-day.
Mets Sign Lamb
The New York Mets signed corner infielder Mike Lamb to a minor league deal. Lamb, 33, hit .235/.276/.320 in 272 plate appearances last season. The corner infielder was released by the Milwaukee Brewers earlier this spring.
There isn’t much room for Lamb on the Mets bench he’ll provide depth at Triple-A.
April 25, 2009
Figueroa Becomes Free Agent
UPDATE: That didn’t last long. Figueroa re-signed with New York on a minor league deal.
Right-handed pitcher Nelson Figueroa has become a free agent after clearing waivers and declining a minor league assignment from the New York Mets. Figueroa, 34, had a 4.57 ERA in 45.1 innings pitched last season.
Figueroa is a better option than the Mets current fifth starter Livan Hernandez. The Angels seem like a logical fit for the right-hander with their starting pitching woes.
Yankees Make Moves
The New York Yankees have made a number of roster moves these past couple of days:
- Right-handed pitcher Chien-Ming Wang was placed on the 15-day disabled list with weakness in his hip abductor muscles.
- Infielder Cody Ransom was placed on the 60-day disabled list with a strained right quadriceps muscle.
- The team recalled right-handed pitcher David Robertson from Triple-A.
- Right-handed reliever Brian Bruney was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a strained right flexor mass.
- The team purchased the contract of infielder Angel Berroa from Triple-A and added him to the 25-man roster.
- The team purchased the contract of right-handed pitcher Mark Melancon from Triple-A and added him to the 25-man roster.
Minor Moves and News From 4/25/09
- The Toronto Blue Jays recalled left-handed pitcher Brian Burres to start on Saturday.
- The Detroit Tigers optioned right-handed pitcher Eddie Bonine to make room for right-handed reliever Joel Zumaya.
- Minnesota Twins minor league first baseman Henry Sanchez was suspended 50 games for testing positive for a drug of abuse.
- The New York Yankees released right-handed pitcher Humberto Sanchez to create room on the 40-man roster for right-hander Mark Melancon.
- The Chicago White Sox recalled right-handed pitcher Lance Broadway and optioned reliever Jack Egbert.
- The Houston Astros placed catcher Humberto Quintero on the 15-day disabled list and recalled catcher J.R. Towles.
- The Atlanta Braves placed catcher Brian McCann on the 15-day disabled list with a left eye infection and recalled catcher Clint Sammons.