Minor League Transactions

[Mass Haas]

Nashville Media Notes:

 

UPDATING THE ROSTER: Catcher Martin Maldonado returns to active duty today for the Sounds after missing the last 2 1/2 weeks with a left ankle sprain suffered in a home plate collision with Memphis baserunner Mark Shorey on June 24th. Prior to his injury, Maldonado was riding his longest hit streak of the season, batting .333 (6-for-18) during a six-gamer.

 

Catcher Anderson De La Rosa was returned to Double-A Huntsville to make room for Maldonado.

 

Right-handed reliever Brandon Kintzler, who has held PCL hitters to a .167 average while posting a 2.70 ERA in 12 appearances, has been placed on the Sounds’ D.L., retroactive to Wednesday.

 

Right-hander Robert Hinton, who finished the 2009 season with Nashville, joins the Sounds today from Double-A Huntsville, where he opened the year by posting a 3-2 record, one save, and a 3.40 ERA (17 ER / 45.0 IP) while racking up 56 strikeouts in 45.0 innings of work.

 

***

 

Here's hoping Brandon's going to be back soon -- bummer; Hinton deserves the promotion. The still-25-year-old Hinton (26 next month) figures to be a hot property in the minor league free agent market this fall.

[Mass Haas]

The Nashville media notes also indicate no replacement for Lorenzo Cain has been named for their roster, so the Sounds are now one man short.

[Mass Haas]

The Brewers signed a new DSL catcher, 20-year-old Deivi Mejia, a 6'0", 195 lb. RH Dominican native. Mejia debuted with an 0-for-3 with a walk on Thursday night.

 

For those keeping score at home, the four players formally listed as catchers can be seen at the DSL roster here.

[bork]

I just noticed that outside of Smith, the Nashville bullpen is now completely homegrown.

[Mass Haas]

Nashville reliever Brandon Kintzler's DL stint is for a strained oblique.

[Mass Haas]

Nashville Media Notes:

HAWKINS TO CONTINUE REHAB ASSIGNMENT WITH SOUNDS: Milwaukee Brewers reliever LaTroy Hawkins is slated to continue his rehabilitation assignment with the Sounds after making two starts with the rookie-level Arizona League Brewers in the past three days (0-0, 2.45 ERA, 1ER / 3.2 IP). The 37-year-old veteran has been on the Brewers’ disabled list since May 7th due to weakness in his right shoulder. Hawkins previously pitched in Music City as a member of the Nashville Xpress (AA-Twins) in 1994.

[Mass Haas]

I really think Hiran Burgos has earned a return trip to Appleton. He's making the Pioneer League look just silly.

Agreed, and the Brewers do as well. The RHP who shined as the Puerto Rico Winter Ball Rookie of the Year is on his way back to Wisconsin.

[Mass Haas]

Appleton Post-Crescent:

 

Timber Rattlers starter Kyle Heckathorn suffered his second loss in three appearances. Heckathorn hit two batters, walked three and struck out five over seven innings — his longest stint since June 6. He lasted just 1.2 innings for a no-decision in his last outing against Burlington on July 12.

After the game, the 22-year-old was told in manager Jeff Isom's office that he has been promoted to high Class A Brevard County. Heckathorn will be leaving Appleton at 6:30 AM Monday en route for Viera, Fla.

"I'm excited," said the 6-foot-6, 223-pound righty, who leaves the Timber Rattlers with a 6-6 record and a 2.96 ERA. "I've got a lot of family down in Florida, so I'm excited about that."

[Mass Haas]

To make room for Kyle Heckathorn at Brevard, LHP Mike Ramlow has been placed on the DL, retroactive to 7/17 (no official word on his injury / status).

[battlekow]

A coupe rookie-ball outfielders swap places: Robbie Garvey goes from Arizona to Helena, with John Bivens doing the opposite.

[Mass Haas]

Monday's poor start by Josh obviously not a factor --

 

Huntsville Press Release:

 

RHP Josh Butler has been promoted from Huntsville to Triple-A Nashville. He will join the Sounds tonight. Butler started the year on the disabled list for the Brewers. He completed a rehab start in Advanced-A Brevard County and Huntsville prior to being activated and assigned to the Stars roster on May 31.

 

In 10 starts with the Stars, Butler was 3-5 with a 4.56 ERA. He threw a seven-inning shutout on July 6 against the Tennessee Smokies, allowing only five hits. Butler was with the Stars for eight games last year prior to joining the Brewers with a September call-up.

 

There is no corresponding move at this time, leaving the Stars active roster at 23.

[Mass Haas]

Infielder Kyle Dhanani, the 22-year-old Canadian drafted in the 43rd round in 2009, who has only seen sporadic action in his two seasons and has struggled offensively, has been placed on the Brevard County roster, but also placed on their seven-day DL. There must be some technicality involved there, but we'll simply mention it as it is for now.

 

21-year-old RHP Jose Oviedo, the 31st round 2009 draft pick out of a Miami junior college by way of his native Venezuela, has been rewarded for his good early work in Maryvale with a promotion to Helena.

[Mass Haas]

From the Rattler Radio blog:

INF Joey Paciorek has completed his rehab assignment with the Arizona Brewers and has been reinstated from the DL at Wisconsin.

 

This puts the roster at the 25 player limit for the Timber Rattlers.

[Mass Haas]

At Brevard, C / DH Michael Roberts has been placed on the DL, retroactive to 7/18. Roberts has only been behind the plate for a dozen games thus far. Shawn Zarraga and Sean McCraw will continue to split time at catcher for the 'Tees.

 

OF/DH Angel Salome has been activated. Ordinarily such news would be met with some fanfare. Salome has seen action in all of four games in right field with Brevard, otherwise he's been a DH.

[Mass Haas]

23-year-old RHP Mark Willinsky, who has really struggled in 2010 in his first year at the AA level (stats), has been transferred from Huntsville to Brevard County. The Manatees will need to announce a corresponding move Thursday.

 

This left the Stars two men short of the full 24-man roster as they took the long bus ride to Jacksonville today. We also don't know the status yet of Huntsville RHP Michael Fiers, who exited Monday's game with an unknown injury. So expect reinforcements to fly into Jacksonville during this upcoming series.

[Mass Haas]

23-year-old RHP Mark Willinsky, who has really struggled in 2010 in his first year at the AA level (stats), has been transferred from Huntsville to Brevard County. The Manatees will need to announce a corresponding move Thursday.

Congratulations to RHP Wily Peralta, bumped up from Brevard and now with Huntsville. Nice little progression for the young man, only turned 21 years old in May, and past the injury nexus with his 2007 Tommy John surgery. Please discuss this transaction HERE.

[Mass Haas]

With Lorenzo Cain's option back to Nashville official, the Sounds will need to make a corresponding move upon Lorenzo's arrival. Please discuss this transaction HERE.

[Mass Haas]

To make room for OF Lorenzo Cain in Nashville, RHP Robert Hinton slides back to Huntsville where he will add to his already record number of appearances for the affiliate. Hinton posted a 4.50 ERA (1 ER / 2.0 IP) in two relief outings with the Sounds.

 

More news from the Nashville Media Notes:

FARRIS ACTIVATED FROM D.L.: Second baseman Eric Farris has been activated from the disabled list and returns to PCL action for the first time in 11 weeks. The 24-year-old spent the past two weeks on a rehab assignment in the rookie-level Arizona League, where he hit .250 (8-for-32) with five doubles, one home run, nine RBIs, and a stolen base in 10 games. Farris has been on the Sounds’ disabled list since April 30; he suffered a knee injury during a home plate collision with Memphis catcher Bryan Anderson in an April 29 contest at Greer Stadium. Prior to the injury, Farris had batted .288 (21-for-73) in 20 contests for Nashville to open the year. To make room for Farris on the Sounds’ roster, infielder Johnny Raburn was placed on the disabled list, retroactive to Thursday.

 

If you wish to discuss, the Sounds' thread is here.

[battlekow]

Per MLB.com's Jordan Schelling, Jeremy Jeffress was promoted to Huntsville and will report on Wednesday.

 

Discuss in the Jeffress thread.

[Mass Haas]

In order to make room for Jeremy Jeffress, the Stars have placed RHP Michael Fiers on the DL, retroactive all the way back to 7/22, so hopefully he'll return soon.

[battlekow]

MLB press release:

Three Milwaukee Brewers Minor League players, all of whom are with the

organization's Dominican Summer League team, have received 50-game

suspensions: third baseman Allixon Cequea and outfielder Erickson Salaya

both tested positive for metabolites of Nandrolone, while pitcher

Leonard Lorenzo tested positive for a metabolite of Boldenone. The

suspensions are effective immediately.

Discuss in the DSL Brewers thread.

[Mass Haas]

LHP Mike Ramlow has been activated from the Brevard DL, which fills the spot vacated by Jeremy Jeffress this week.

 

Just a reminder, like to toss this in every so often, Jeremy and his family pronounce his last name as though it were spelled "Jeffers".

[battlekow]

At Brevard County, IF Steve Braun goes on the DL, and IF Kyle Dhanani comes off it.

 

Also, LHP Tony Butler was activated off the DL at Wisconsin from his Helena rehab assignment.

[Mass Haas]

As per the Rattler Radio blog, RHP Andy Sauter goes on the Wisconsin DL to make room for RHP Tony Butler.

[battlekow]

LHP Chris Waters goes on the DL to make room for Carlos Villanueva at Nashville. Waters left during yesterday's start with an arm injury.