Pre-Draft Minor League Transactions

[battlekow]

It comes to a head: Mark Rogers demoted to Brevard County. Get right, Mark.

[bucksman4]

It comes to a head: Mark Rogers demoted to Brevard County. Get right, Mark.

Talk about a freefall. From a September major league call up to A-ball. Tough to see another #1 pick pitcher underachieve.

[CheezWizHed]

There has to be a bit more to it than just under performing... to drop 2 levels? Perhaps the warmer weather helps his last injury (loosening up that is).

[Mass Haas]

Update from the Stars --

 

RHP Robert Hinton has been promoted to Triple-A Nashville. In 13 appearances with the Stars this season, Hinton went 1-0 with a 2.50 ERA (18.0 IP / 5 ER). His strongest outing was on May 7 against Jacksonville. He struck out eight batters in just three innings of work, getting his first win of the season. Hinton split time between Huntsville and Nashville in 2010. He has spent part of the last four seasons with the Stars.

 

RHP Rob Wooten has been transferred to Huntsville from High-A Brevard County. In 12 games with the Manatees, Wooten has recorded two wins and a save with a 2.53 ERA (21.1 IP / 6 ER). Wooten spent part of the 2009 season with the Stars, going 0-1 with a 4.28 ERA in 27 appearances. He converted 11 of 12 save opportunities. Wooten did not play in 2010 due to injury (Tommy John surgery).

 

Additionally, catcher Dayton Buller has been activated from the disabled list and transferred to Nashville. Buller was placed on the DL back on May 6. He was batting .154 (4-26) in nine games with Huntsville.

 

With these moves, the Stars active roster remains at 24, the Southern League limit.

 

***

 

So Hinton was added to Nashville via the spot that opened up upon Mark Rogers' demotion to Brevard County.

 

Apparently there is nothing wrong with George Kottaras nor Mike Rivera, as Buller was added to the AAA roster via the fact that RHP Sean Green has been designated for assignment. He will remain on the Sounds' temporary inative list until his status is resolved.

 

Three catchers for the Sounds, and that's with the always-willing Patrick Arlis on the DL a while back. That may mean Arlis is actually sidelined, otherwise they may have played the Helena roster game with him.

[jjfanec]

Wooten is a guy I am really excited about. Seems like the kind who can pitch a couple innings a night, which is valuable in the bullpen. We have seen Loe get abused early this year and a guy like Wooten (and what they are now doing with Estrada) is valuable.

[Mass Haas]

Apparently there is nothing wrong with George Kottaras nor Mike Rivera, as Buller was added to the AAA roster via the fact that RHP Sean Green has been designated for assignment. He will remain on the Sounds' temporary inative list until his status is resolved.

 

And as we now know, Mike Rivera heads to Milwaukee, better explaining the need for Buller in Nashville.

[TooLiveBrew]

There has to be a bit more to it than just under performing... to drop 2 levels? Perhaps the warmer weather helps his last injury (loosening up that is).

I sure hope you're onto something here. Could easily be the explanation.

[battlekow]

Logan Schafer activated from the DL at Brevard County--where he, somewhat mysteriously, will play, at least for the time being.

Why the Brewers would want to put their two best center fielders (D'Vontrey Richardson being the other) at the same level, when Schafer's already had success at BC, is confusing. Hopefully he'll just be there to knock the rust off at which point he'll get bumped up to Huntsville (and perhaps then Erik Komatsu to Nashville).

[paul253]

Yeah I dont get Schafer to BC either but it's good to see him playing again. I wouldn't mind seeing him get moved up soon with Komatu either shifting to right field or better yet center field in Nashville. Rogers has to be one of the most disappointing prospects in all of baseball. The guy was starting games in Milwaukee last season and he was pitching well. Now down to BC. Hopefully he can figure out that control. Does he have any options left after this year? I was under the impression he was out of options next season.

[brewmann04]

Good to see Wooten moving up and hopefully he regain his form when he Pitched For North Carolina. We can always use a good Bullpen in the future especially with Saito and hawking gone after this season.

[DHonks]

Paul, I am disappointed, but I wouldn't say he's even our biggest disappointment. That's easily Arnett thus far. Still, a demotion from MLB to A ball worked for Halladay.... I can't believe Halladay holds the record for highest ERA in a season!

[LouisEly]

Pretty sure it's just to get the rust off of Schaefer. I'd bet he's in Huntsville by June 1st.

[MLS1965]

I think your close to being right. Nashville has had very unseasonal weather the last few days..including his last start....54 at first pitch with misty cold damp conditions. Also he's really not had a 'real' spring training yet. With shoulder stiffness to start and the hand issue he's had no real quality start let alone a work out. If he can get three good starts in Florida I think you'll see him back in Nashville.

[TheCrew07]

Logan Schafer activated from the DL at Brevard County--where he, somewhat mysteriously, will play, at least for the time being.

Why the Brewers would want to put their two best center fielders (D'Vontrey Richardson being the other)

Why did the Brewers think it was a good idea to put both young catchers one 1 team? They were fortunate that Garfield hurt so no one's playing time was really impacted by the move. Even as a temporary move it doesn't make any sense, why give him playing at the expense of D'Vo who is on a tear right now, let Richardson run his hot streak out, he needs the confidence. Hell, Schafer is a minor leaguer, just let him get his feet wet where he's going to play, why does he need a rehab assignment? This isn't a knock on Logan, I like him as a prospect, I just don't get the placement at all.

 

I wonder if Reid Nichols is still pulling the strings on this stuff?

[DHonks]

TheCrew, I wouldn't be shocked to see Schafer DH for a few days before proving he's healthy enough to have other roster moves and move him higher up. If they're going to release a AA/AAA outfielder, they'd want to be sure he's healthy

[Mass Haas]

To make room for Mark Rogers at Brevard, 24-year-old OF / DH Scott Krieger (career stats) was placed on the 7-day DL.

 

After a scorching start to his season (1.043 OPS in April), Krieger has really scuffled in May (4-for-32, no walks, 11 K's). Krieger last played a full game on the 16th. No word on the nature or severity of his injury.

[MLS1965]

No word on the nature or severity of his injury.

My guess would be just a paperwork move to make room for Rogers as I don't think you'll see him 'A' ball for long.

[battlekow]

Brewers send Rogers to Class A

Paul Betit/Portland Press Herald

The Milwaukee Brewers sent pitcher Mark Rogers from the Nashville Sounds, their Triple-A affiliate, to the Brevard County Manatees in the Class A Florida State League.

"It's a situation where Mark hasn't been able to get back on track since spring training because of various ailments," Milwaukee Assistant General Manager Gord Ash said. "This will enable him to get back into 100 percent pitching shape while doing his work in a more comfortable, less stressful environment."

Some media reports characterized the move as a demotion, but Jack Toffey, Rogers' agent, said it was more of a rehabilitation assignment.

"The Brewers just want to get him down to warmer weather," Toffey said.

Earlier this month, Rogers, 25, was put on the disabled list because of bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, which caused him to lose feeling in his fingers.

Rogers, from Orrs Island and Mt. Ararat High School, began the season by allowing one earned run while pitching a total of 10 innings in his first two starts, but he's allowed 21 runs in five innings in three starts since.

Rogers pitched for the Manatees in 2006 and 2009.

"The plan is have him make four or five (Class A) starts, then two or three starts at Double-A, then have him return to Triple-A," Ash said. "We want to get him ready for the second half of the season."

Since he was drafted by the Brewers in the first round in 2004, Rogers has had two shoulder surgeries. He made his major league debut last fall, starting twice while pitching in four games with a 1.80 ERA while striking out 11 and walking three in 10 innings.

[Mass Haas]

From Wisconsin's Chris Mehring --

 

LHP Del Howell is on the DL retroactive to May 14

 

RHP Brooks Hall has been transferred to the Timber Rattlers from the Arizona League Brewers.

As of now, Hall is scheduled to make the start in game one of Saturday’s doubleheader. But, that may change.

 

and this tease at the link above --

There may be two more roster moves in the next 90 minutes. I (Chris) am just waiting on official confirmation.

[battlekow]

RHP Brooks Hall has been transferred to the Timber Rattlers from the Arizona League Brewers.

Slight change of plans. Hall was transferred back to Helena, along with struggling RHP Jimmy Nelson; Chris expects Hall to be "back" tomorrow and Nelson soon as well. RHPs Damon Krestalude and Jameson Dunn join the Rattlers, Krestalude from the DL and Dunn from extended spring.

EDIT: Chris indicates that when he said Nelson would be back soon, he meant that Nelson was getting Arlis'd--a paper move to get another arm in the bullpen and that Nelson is still with the team and not being "demoted".

[battlekow]

From the Stars:

Huntsville, AL – The Milwaukee Brewers have made a roster move that will impact their Double-A affiliate Huntsville Stars prior to tonight’s game against Montgomery.

Infielder Sean Halton has been placed on the disabled list, retroactive to May 18. Halton has not played since May 11 when he appeared as a pinch hitter at Tennessee. In 32 games with the Stars, he’s batting .304 (38-125) with eight doubles, five home runs and 21 RBI.

There is no corresponding move at this time. With these moves, the Stars active roster sits at 23, one below the Southern League limit.

[battlekow]

Former Grissom and Auburn standout Hunter Morris promoted to Huntsville Stars

Mark McCarter/Huntsville Times

HUNTSVILLE, Alabama -- Hunter Morris is coming home.

The former Grissom High star, who played collegiately at Auburn, has been promoted to the Huntsville Stars from Class A Brevard County and will make his Huntsville debut Saturday night, The Times has learned.

Morris becomes the first player to grow up in Huntsville to become a member of the Stars.

The Stars, who have lost nine in a row, will be hosting Montgomery in a 6:43 p.m. game.

Morris was batting a team-leading .317 with four homers and 24 RBIs in 40 games for the Manatees. He leads the Florida State League in doubles with 16.

The Brewers have been working him at first base and third base. He'll step in at first at Huntsville, with Sean Halton having gone on the disabled list.

It's a quick rise for Morris, 22, who was the fourth-round pick of the Brewers last June after having been selected the SEC Player of the Year in 2010 after batting .386 with 23 homers and 76 RBIs in his final season there.

He played in 71 games at the low-A farm club at Wisconsin and was with Milwaukee's Arizona Fall League team, for organizations' top prospects.

[Southern Leaguer]

Former Grissom and Auburn standout Hunter Morris promoted to Huntsville Stars

Mark McCarter/Huntsville Times

HUNTSVILLE, Alabama -- Hunter Morris is coming home.

The former Grissom High star, who played collegiately at Auburn, has been promoted to the Huntsville Stars from Class A Brevard County and will make his Huntsville debut Saturday night, The Times has learned.

Morris becomes the first player to grow up in Huntsville to become a member of the Stars.

The Stars, who have lost nine in a row, will be hosting Montgomery in a 6:43 p.m. game.

I guess Mark had a deadline to make and missed the end of last night's game? http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif

[Mass Haas]

Press Release from Jill Cacic of the Stars --

 

Huntsville, AL – The Milwaukee Brewers have made a few roster moves that will impact their Double-A affiliate Huntsville Stars prior to Saturday night's game against the visiting Montgomery Biscuits.

 

Infielder Hunter Morris has been transferred to Huntsville from High-A Brevard County. The Huntsville native is batting .317 (52-164) in 40 games with the Manatees. He has hit four home runs and a team-high 16 doubles.

 

RHP Mike Fiers has been promoted from Huntsville to Triple-A Nashville. Fiers is 2-1 with a 4.86 ERA (16.2 IP / 9 ER) in 14 games with the Stars. He’s converted five of six save opportunities while holding opponents to a .226 batting average.

 

Additionally, RHP R.J. Seidel will join the Huntsville roster from High-A Brevard County. Seidel has compiled a 4.22 ERA (21.1 IP / 10 ER) in 13 appearances with the Manatees. This will be both Morris and Seidel’s Double-A debuts.

 

With these moves, the Stars active roster sits at 24, the Southern League limit.

 

***

 

Congratulations, too to Michael Fiers, on his AAA debut. His peripherals outside of his ERA are just fine.

 

There will need to be moves at other levels, and we should have those for you during the course of the day today.

[Mass Haas]

To make room for Michael Fiers in Nashville, RHP Justin James was placed on the Sounds' 7-day DL with an undisclosed injury. He last pitched in a two-inning stint on the 13th. MiLB.com indicates the move was official back to the 18th.

 

Since James is on the 40-man roster, Gord Ash should be less hesitant to provide injury information. We'll drop a note with Mr. McCalvy to inquire.

 

In what is assuredly a world record, there are now six relievers on the Brewers' 40-man roster on a disabled list of some sort -- Saito, Kintzler, Braddock, Parra, Stetter, James.