Minor League Transaction Thread

[Mass Haas]

Soon-to-be 23-year-old RHP Michael White (career stats) gets a bump to Wisconsin from Helena.

 

A corresponding move will need to be made -- this guess is that they will let LHP Stephen Peterson's ankle get some additional rest with a DL stint.

[Mass Haas]

Logan Schafer (sore knee) only missed a week with Nashville. He's back, and INF Andy Gonzalez was transferred to fill the open roster spot at AA Huntsville to make room.

[Mass Haas]

From the Manatees:

 

ROSTER MOVES: LHP Jed Bradley placed on the DL retro to 8/6. RHP Matt Miller transferred to Brevard from the TimberRattlers.

 

***

 

No word on the nature of Bradley's ailment; it was a groin issue that sidelined him for ten days in mid-May.

 

Congratulations to Matt Miller -- big contributor to Wisconsin, and now thrust into a playoff race with Brevard.

 

(Miller's move frees up the spot for Michael White on the Rattlers roster.)

[Mass Haas]

From Huntsville:

 

RHP Hellweg to DL; RHP Valiquette Activated

 

KODAK, Tenn. – The Milwaukee Brewers and Huntsville Stars have made a pair of roster moves prior to tonight’s series opener at Tennessee. RHP Johnny Hellweg has been placed on the disabled list, retroactive to August 7, and LHP Philippe Valiquette has been activated from the DL.

 

Hellweg has gone 2-0 with a 2.70 ERA in two starts for the Stars since coming to the Brewers organization in the trade that sent Zach Greinke to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim back on July 27. In those two starts, the 23-year-old pitched 10 innings, giving up four runs (three earned) on six hits. He struck out 10 batters and walked nine. In his first outing, he allowed just one hit over five innings to Chattanooga.

 

Valiquette was placed on the DL back on July 29, retroactive to July 26. The left hander is 0-0 with a 11.05 ERA (7.1 IP / 9 ER) in six appearances this season.

 

With these moves, the Stars active roster is at 25

 

***

 

Tom Haudricourt spoke with Gord Ash.

 

"LHP Jed Bradley has arm fatigue and probably won't pitch again in 2012. Was checked and not an injury."

 

"Brewers put RHP Johnny Hellweg on DL more to manage innings. Will pitch only in relief when activated to control his work."

[TheCrew07]

I'm glad they are shutting down Bradley for the year, hopefully his velocity returns for 2013.

[Mass Haas]

Helena LHP Will West tweet:

 

Season cut short this year. Minor surgery on Friday and then home to Florida. Thankful for a good year with awesome teammates

[BrewersAA]

glad to see Matt promoted, I think he deserved it and I think he was getting upset that he had to repeat low A and then Gangon got promoted ahead of him (deservedly so).

 

That said, I think if Goforth would have put together a better start in his last outting it may have been him that got the bump. I was expecting a better season out of him, but he has seemed to have turned the corner in the second half a-la Jimmy Nelson so here to hoping for similar results.

[Mass Haas]

At Nashville, OF Corey Patterson goes on the Temporary Inactive List while catcher Dayton Buller (slight hamstring injury) is activated from the DL, giving the Sounds three catchers (Jaramillo, Quintero, Buller) for the time being.

[Mass Haas]

According to MiLB.com, Nashville LHP Mitch Stetter was placed on the 7-day DL on Saturday (no word on his injury status at this time).

[Mass Haas]

Reliever Sean Albury (stats), who we dubbed "the Mad Bahamian" during his outstanding Helena rookie season, tweeted on Sunday a #thankgod, as he had no pain throwing.

 

The 23-year-old out of the same school Mike Fiers attended (Nova Southeastern) underwent rotator cuff surgery in December.

[Mass Haas]

From the Brewers:

 

INF Jeff Bianchi has been recalled from Triple-A @nashvillesounds to take the roster spot of RHP Mark Rogers (paternity list). Rogers and his wife, Kerrie, expecting first child. Still slated to start Wed. in Colorado.

[Mass Haas]

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – The Milwaukee Brewers and Huntsville Stars have made a pair of roster moves prior to tonight’s series opener against the Montgomery Biscuits. RHP Johnny Hellweg has been activated from the disabled list. RHP Brandon Kintzler was transferred to the Triple-A Nashville Sounds.

 

Hellweg was placed on the disabled on August 8, retroactive to August 7. He has gone 2-0 with a 2.70 ERA in two starts for the Stars since coming to the Brewers organization in the trade that sent Zach Greinke to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim back on July 27. In those two starts, the 23-year-old pitched 10 innings, giving up four runs (three earned) on six hits. He struck out 10 batters and walked nine. In his first outing, he allowed just one hit over five innings to Chattanooga.

 

Kintzler has gone 0-2 with a 3.28 ERA (35.2 IP / 13 ER) in 31 appearances. He’s converted nine of 10 save opportunities, while allowing 12 walks and striking out 20. The righty started the season on the Brewers 15-day disabled list before being optioned to the Stars on May 16.

 

With these moves, the Stars active roster is at 25.

 

***

 

Hellweg will pitch in relief to limit innings...

[narwhalattack]

I wonder why Tyrone Taylor has been out so long. Is it because the org is being EXTREMELY careful about him? Is it because his injury is serious? Is it because there isn't any roster space in Helena right now?

[Mass Haas]

22-year-old non-drafted free agent catcher Joe Andrade has been freed after 12 Maryvale AB's and catching plenty of Arizona bullpens.

 

He flew to Grand Junction and is DH'ing for Helena this evening.

[Mass Haas]

Late in his 6th season in the organization, 2007 6th round LHP Dan Merklinger (career stats) has been released from the Huntsville roster after 579 innings (136 games, 94 starts).

 

Merklinger was on the Brewers' 40 man roster in the offseason prior to the 2011 campaign.

 

Here's wishing, Dan, 27 this coming November, well.

 

The Stars' roster is at 24, one short of the active limit.

[Mass Haas]

Guess the recent feature article in the Tennessean we linked to recently wasn't enough to springboard Nashville catcher Jason Jaramillo.

 

The Brewers released him today.

 

Dayton Buller and Humberto Quintero remain as the AAA backstop tandem.

[Mass Haas]

Nashville OF Corey Patterson activated from the Temp Inactive list. Believe we read that like Mark Rogers, Corey is a first-time dad. If so, congrats.

[Mass Haas]

Saw Adam McCalvy's tweet that Josh Butler's Maryvale rehab is complete (elbow) and he's been transferred to AA Huntsville, filling the open roster spot there.

 

Butler will be a minor league free agent at season's end.

[CheezWizHed]

Alas, I think we finally have closure... we should have kept Gabe Gross.

[Mass Haas]

Hoping to pick up a lagging Helena offense and rewarding a young man for good work, the Brewers have promoted 19-year-old OF Jose Pena (career stats) from Maryvale, and he'll join the H-Crew in Orem, Utah. After two really poor seasons in the Dominican Summer League, Pena raked in Maryvale from Day One in 2012. Congrats to him, and to the Brewers, for seeing the beginning of a return on an initial $400,000 investment.

 

***

 

On the flip side, the Brewers have released 20-year-old Helena infielder Kevin Berard (career stats), the team's 2010 22nd round pick out of a Louisiana high school. Berard spent two long summers in the Maryvale sun, not unusual for a mid-to-late round high school pick, and he was really very solid in 2011 (.753 OPS). His dismissal after just 79 Helena at-bats seems a bit harsh, but most of them do. Here's betting we see Kevin elsewhere in affiliated ball down the road.

[bork]

Does Helena have any backup infielder now? 4 IF, 6 OF, and 4 C?

[MTBrew]

The Helena roster is a real mess.

Maybe at this point in the season and with their record it doesn't matter.

Still, as I fan I would like to see the best players on the field and for them to play competitive baseball.

Steve Wendt didn't say much when Turay replaced Bernard at 3B late in the game last night, it certainly couldn't have been for defensive reasons.

[Mass Haas]

I almost commented on that defensive replacement, it seemed so random. That must have been one heck of a strikeout.

 

Helena Top of the 7th

Ruben Ozuna strikes out swinging.

Kevin Berard strikes out swinging.

Yonki Hernandez strikes out swinging.

 

Grand Junction Bottom of the 7th

Defensive Substitution: Michael Turay replaces third baseman Kevin Berard, batting 9th, playing third base.

 

You release a 20-year-old while you're on a road trip in Utah? It couldn't have waited less than a week to get back to Helena where his host family, possessions, etc., are? On the surface, the organization is sending a message.

 

There's probably much more to this story, but unfortunately all we can do is speculate, which isn't fair to player or organization. We had linked to this pre-game audio interview just nine days ago.

 

The fact Berard was limited by his ankle injury earlier (thus just the 79 AB's) makes things even more cloudy.

[MTBrew]

Completely agree with you Mass about speculating.

I also question what could have been so egregious to warrant this and why it couldn't have waited?

Despite his limited opportunities and production Berard always played hard and appeared to be a good teammate (something I can't say for a couple other players).

Not sure what "message" the front office was trying to send but kicking a guy when he is down is the wrong one. This has left a bad taste in my mouth.

[Mass Haas]

RHP Andy Moye (stats) placed on the Brevard County 7-day DL. Roster one short at 24.

 

Manatee DL sure is crowded now at seven -- Austin Ross (Tommy John), Eric Marzec (strep / mono), Jed Bradley (tired arm), Brooks Hall, Hector Gomez, Shawn Zarraga (since May 26th), and Moye (last four, no reported injury details).