Roster Moves (5/25): Busy day for the disabled lists
By Wally Fish
Yesterday was a busy day for transactions, and most of them involved the disabled list. Due to the volume of the moves and the late hour, today’s version of Roster Moves is more of a stripped down recap. If you are keeping score at home, I am o-for-3 when it comes to getting these published in the morning. Will tomorrow be the day I get on track? It’s not looking good, but you never know. Anyway on with the recap! […]
In yesterday’s column, I mentioned that the Boston Red Sox took part in some roster shenanigans. OF-Darnell McDonald (31) was going to be DFA’d but OF-Jacoby Ellsbury was a late lineup scratch and Darnell was subsequently saved. The team also activated OF-Mike Cameron (37) from the 15-day DL. To make room on the roster for Cameron, the Red Sox DFA’d RHP-Scott Atchison (34) who you might remember was recalled the day before. Straight shenanigans.
Also in yesterday’s column I mentioned that 2B-Kazuo Matsui (34), formerly of the Astros, cleared waivers and became a free agent. He was without a team for less than 24 hours. The Colorado Rockies swooped in, signed him to a minor league contract, and sent him to join their Triple-A Colorado Springs affiliate.
The Milwaukee Brewers signed RHP-Jeff Bennett (29), formerly of the Rays, to a minor league contract.
RHP-Brian Bruney (28) was released by Washington. The Nationals then called up C-Carlos Maldonado (31)
The Kansas City Royals optioned RHP-Bryan Bullington (29) to Triple-A Omaha and then called up INF-Wilson Betemit (28) to take the open spot on the major league roster. Our Royals lead writer, Michael Engel, published some thoughts on the move.
1B-Steven Pearce (27) suffered an ankle sprain and was placed on the 15-day DL by the Pittsburgh Pirates. To take his spot on the roster, the team called up 3B-Neil Walker (24). Also in Pirates’ news, LHP-Donald Veal (25) was placed on the minor league disabled list (7-day) with elbow and forearm tightness.
A sprained right toe forced Atlanta Braves OF-Brent Clevlen (26) to the 15-day disabled list. To take his place, OF-Gregor Blanco (26) was called up from Triple-A Gwinnett.
The New York Mets claimed INF-Justin Turner (25) off waivers from the Baltimore Orioles and proceeded to option him to Triple-A Buffalo. Sticking with the Mets, the team also transferred OF-Carlos Beltran (33) from the 15-day to the 60-day DL.
Baltimore lost Turner to the Mets, but they make today’s report on the merits of their own moves as well. First, the team transferred LHP-Mike Gonzalez (32) from the 15-day to 60-day disabled list. Second, they placed RHP-Alfredo Simon (29) on the 15-day DL with a hamstring strain. Third, they called up RHP-Frank Mata (26) from Triple-A Norfolk and followed that up by recalling LHP-Alberto Castillo (34) as well. The team had another roster spot open because, RHP-Koji Uehara (35) was placed on the 15-day disabled list thanks to a “strain” of his right elbow. The move involving Koji is retroactive to May 20th.
Time to take a break and breathe … and back to the rundown.
The Arizona Diamondbacks placed SS-Tony Abreu (25) on the 15-day disabled list after he sprained his left wrist. 2B-Ryan Roberts (29) was called up from Triple-A Reno to take Abreu’s place.
LHP-George Sherrill (33) was placed on the 15-day DL with “mild” back tightness. The Los Angeles Dodgers then activated SS-Rafael Furcal (32) from the 15-day disabled list.
The Minnesota Twins activated SS-J.J. Hardy (27) from the 15-day DL and optioned INF-Trevor Plouffe (23) to Triple-A Rochester.
3B-Brandon Wood (25) was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a hip flexor strain. The Los Angeles Angeles also activated INF-Macier Izturis (29) from the 15-day DL. Then the organization swapped out right-handed relievers. Bobby Cassevah (24) was optioned to Triple-A while Francisco Rodriguez (27) was called up from Salt Lake.
Finally, the Colorado Rockies designated C-Paul Phillips (33) for assignment to make room for C-Chris Iannetta (27) who was recalled from Triple-A Colorado Springs.
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