Minor League Transactions - 2015 Regular Season

[Mass Haas]

First a link to the now-retired 2014-2015 Minor League Offseason Transaction thread.

 

A couple of injury updates via Adam McCalvy's article.

 

Devin Williams experienced what Gord Ash characterized as mild right elbow tenderness during Spring Training, but he is healthy now and not expected to miss any starts. The Timber Rattlers begins its season on Thursday on the road.

 

***

 

One of last season's Timber Rattlers, right fielder Michael Ratterree, will spend the first two weeks of Class A Advanced Brevard County's season on the disabled list, Ash said. He suffered a slight right wrist fracture on a hit-by-pitch in Spring Training.

[Mass Haas]

Good luck to recently-released infielder Alfredo Rodriguez on landing another baseball gig quickly, signing with the Joliet (IL) Slammers of the independent Frontier League. He's listed there as a shortstop, his natural position.

 

Just a reminder that because literally a few dozen former Brewer farmhands move in and out of the indy ranks each year, we only comment in this thread on those most recently released (those who saw action in the Milwaukee chain through 2014).

[Mass Haas]

As was pointed out in the Shuckers' thread (thanks, Bork), RHP Eric Marzec and C Tyler LaTorre have been placed on the 7-day DL with undisclosed "injuries" (perhaps they are nicked), or maybe we'll see rotating phantom taxi squads DL across the board this season.

[Mass Haas]

In order to get to the 25-man limit for the Timber Rattlers, the Brewers have re-assigned RHP's Gian Rizzo and Brock Hudgens, and catcher Natanael Mejia to the Helena roster.

 

We'll determine whether the three players will continue to work out with the Timber Rattlers for soon-to-be use, or whether they are immediately heading back to Maryvale for extended spring training.

[Mass Haas]

Not sure exactly how the two players were allocated to make room (DL stints, transfers, etc.), but to get to the 25-man roster limit from 27, catcher Paul Eshleman and RHP Tristan Archer were dropped from the Manatees Opening Day roster. We should learn more by end-of-day.

 

MiLB.com now shows that both Eshleman & Archer have been placed on the Helena roster.

[Mass Haas]

Colorado Springs had a fairly straight path to getting down to 25.

 

They have placed RHP Johnny Hellweg (tail end of Tommy John recovery), LHP Jarret Martin (shoulder debridement, back around mid-June), and RHP Josh Roenicke on the seven-day DL.

 

We had read previously that Roenicke was going to hang back in Maryvale to stretch out for starting, perhaps that's still the case.

 

***

 

This was posted on April 4th:

 

Haudricourt tweet --

 

Pitchers Chris Leroux and Tim Dillard will break camp with AAA Colorado Springs but will be on inactive roster at start.

 

***

 

At this time, that just leaves catcher Robinzon Diaz's status as "unaccounted for".

[Mass Haas]

Good luck to recently-released infielder Alfredo Rodriguez on landing another baseball gig quickly, signing with the Joliet (IL) Slammers of the independent Frontier League. He's listed there as a shortstop, his natural position.

 

So last week we detailed how closely the pro paths of Alfredo Rodriguez and fellow infielder Mike Garza had been.

 

Now they'll get the chance to get back to affiliated ball while playing together, as Joliet has signed Garza as well. Nice...

[Mass Haas]

Via the @BrewersPD Twitter account

 

Tucker Neuhaus has been placed on the DL with Wisconsin. Natanael Mejia has been transferred from Helena to replace him.

 

***

 

Unless a player is injured in an obvious on-field play that is noted on camera or in the game stories, most organizations (sometimes citing HIPPA rules) will not release player injury information. We don't ask the broadcasters, because they are instructed thusly, so why place them in an awkward situation. Sometimes you will catch the news via a pre-game show, if they've been cleared to provide info.

 

(Usually another exception to all this is a player on the 40-man roster....)

 

It's a 7-day DL in the minors, but since we don't know the nature of Neuhaus' injury, can't say how long he'll be out.

 

From Thursday's game log --

 

Wisconsin Top of the 7th

 

Jose Pena called out on strikes.

David Denson walks.

Pitching Change: Tyler Carpenter replaces Jonah Wesely.

Jake Gatewood triples (1) on a line drive to center fielder Miguel Hermosillo. David Denson scores.

Tucker Neuhaus strikes out swinging.

Elvis Rubio flies out to center fielder Miguel Hermosillo.

 

Neuhaus then played defense in the bottom of the 7th, but we don't know if there was a play at 3rd base on this wild pitch, and if there was, Neuhaus still stayed in:

 

Burlington Bottom of the 7th

 

Pitching Change: Tyler Linehan replaces Orlando Torrez.

Ryan Seiz strikes out swinging.

Brandon Gildea walks.

Miguel Hermosillo walks. Brandon Gildea to 2nd.

Jake Yacinich strikes out swinging.

With Caleb Adams batting, wild pitch by Tyler Linehan, Brandon Gildea to 3rd. Miguel Hermosillo to 2nd.

Caleb Adams walks.

Andrew Daniel called out on strikes.

 

Burlington Bottom of the 8th

 

Defensive Substitution: Dustin DeMuth replaces third baseman Tucker Neuhaus, batting 7th, playing third base.

[TheCrew07]

I was able to listen to the game on the old WNAM link by that time and Chris didn't mention Neuhaus getting hurt, just that DeMuth had replaced him, interesting. Tucker had a tough game at the plate.

[Mass Haas]

From April 2nd:

 

Via the Brewers Player Development Twitter account, we learn of additional recent releases:

 

Good luck to each of these gentlemen...

 

RHP Manny Barreda, also 26, a client of Brewer-friendly agent Joshua Kusnick, was very busy for his Mexican Winter League club this past offseason. Barreda was quickly signed to a minor league deal by Milwaukee last July within hours of his release by his original club, the Yankees. The hard-throwing Barreda then re-signed with the Crew during the minor league free agent signing period in October.

 

Here's Kusnick's tweet from Friday night --

 

Oh for clarification Manny Barreda requested his release to go to Mexico

[Mass Haas]

Baseball America reports that veteran minor league infielder Hainley Statia, whose roster status had not been reported previously, is on the 7-day DL. It is likely as a roster stash, but we can't say that with certainty. Statia did see spring training game action.

 

Back on December 4th, we posted this detailed summary on his career at the time of his re-signing.

[Mass Haas]

Via @BrewersPD tweet --

 

RHP Brandon Kintzler has been placed on the DL with Col Springs. RHP Chris Leroux has been added to the active roster to replace him.

 

Via Haudricourt tweet --

 

Just got word that Kintzler went on DL with nail avulsion of right middle finger. I believe that means he tore it off. Ouch.

[Mass Haas]

Via a @BrewersPD tweet --

 

RHP Harvey Martin has been placed on the DL with Wisconsin. RHP Brock Hudgens has been transferred to replace him on the roster.

 

***

 

Martin struggled late in Sunday's Timber Rattlers game, hopefully a minor issue. Hudgens, at 23 years old, needed this opportunity to get to full-season ball. He was the Brewers' 31st round pick last June out of UNC-Charlotte.

[Mass Haas]

Via the @BrewersPD Twitter account

 

Tucker Neuhaus has been placed on the DL with Wisconsin. Natanael Mejia has been transferred from Helena to replace him.

 

***

 

Unless a player is injured in an obvious on-field play that is noted on camera or in the game stories, most organizations (sometimes citing HIPPA rules) will not release player injury information. We don't ask the broadcasters, because they are instructed thusly, so why place them in an awkward situation. Sometimes you will catch the news via a pre-game show, if they've been cleared to provide info.

 

(Usually another exception to all this is a player on the 40-man roster....)

 

It's a 7-day DL in the minors, but since we don't know the nature of Neuhaus' injury, can't say how long he'll be out.

 

From Thursday's game log --

 

Wisconsin Top of the 7th

 

Jose Pena called out on strikes.

David Denson walks.

Pitching Change: Tyler Carpenter replaces Jonah Wesely.

Jake Gatewood triples (1) on a line drive to center fielder Miguel Hermosillo. David Denson scores.

Tucker Neuhaus strikes out swinging.

Elvis Rubio flies out to center fielder Miguel Hermosillo.

 

Neuhaus then played defense in the bottom of the 7th, but we don't know if there was a play at 3rd base on this wild pitch, and if there was, Neuhaus still stayed in:

 

Burlington Bottom of the 7th

 

Pitching Change: Tyler Linehan replaces Orlando Torrez.

Ryan Seiz strikes out swinging.

Brandon Gildea walks.

Miguel Hermosillo walks. Brandon Gildea to 2nd.

Jake Yacinich strikes out swinging.

With Caleb Adams batting, wild pitch by Tyler Linehan, Brandon Gildea to 3rd. Miguel Hermosillo to 2nd.

Caleb Adams walks.

Andrew Daniel called out on strikes.

 

Burlington Bottom of the 8th

 

Defensive Substitution: Dustin DeMuth replaces third baseman Tucker Neuhaus, batting 7th, playing third base.

 

Neuhaus has tweeted that some sort of goggles are in his immediate future.

 

Tweet

 

Tweet

[brewmann04]

whatever he needs that might help him play better

[Mass Haas]

Recently-released RHP Greg Holle and OF D'Vontrey Richardson will continue pursuing their baseball dreams as teammates, as each has signed with the Laredo (TX) Lemurs of the independent American Association.

[Mass Haas]

From April 4th's release post --

 

27-year-old RHP Seth Harvey did very well for a 37th round pick (2010, Washington State). From toiling in the Maryvale heat in 2010 to spending all of his age 23 season in Helena to making his way to Wisconsin and Brevard County by 2013, Harvey fanned 179 in 144 pro innings, allowing only 129 hits, with a little rough 4.1 walk ratio (65 total).

 

Harvey underwent Tommy John surgery in June of 2013 and worked his way back late in 2014 in Maryvale and then Wisconsin.

 

AUDIO: May 2013 audio interview

 

Seth has already posted a classy goodbye tweet.

 

We wish all three well in the future, whether they choose to pursue other baseball opportunities or not.

 

Harvey is the latest recently-released Brewer farmhand to secure a job in independent ball, signing with the Fargo-Moorhead (North Dakota) RedHawks of the American Association.

[Mass Haas]

(John) Ely came out to start the top of the fifth inning and quickly walked leadoff hitter Trever Adams before working a 2-1 count to former Sky Sox Thomas Field. It appeared that catcher Juan Centeno was walking out to the mound to make sure that he and his pitcher were on the same page when manager Rick Sweet and the Sky Sox training staff emerged from the first base dugout. Ely was removed from the game immediately and replaced by right-handed reliever Chris Leroux. After Centeno caught Adams stealing second for the innings first out, Leroux would finish off Field and outfielder Ryan Strausborger with consecutive strikeouts to end any further scoring threats.

 

The soon-to-be 29-year-old Ely has been placed on the Sky Sox DL, with RHP Tim Dillard activated to take his place.

 

Meanwhile, catcher Robinzon Diaz gets formally added to the roster to take the spot vacated by Jason Rogers (to Milwaukee).

[Mass Haas]

RHP Jim Henderson begins another rehab affiliate tour, he'll kick things off with the Manatees.

[Mass Haas]

(John) Ely came out to start the top of the fifth inning and quickly walked leadoff hitter Trever Adams before working a 2-1 count to former Sky Sox Thomas Field. It appeared that catcher Juan Centeno was walking out to the mound to make sure that he and his pitcher were on the same page when manager Rick Sweet and the Sky Sox training staff emerged from the first base dugout. Ely was removed from the game immediately and replaced by right-handed reliever Chris Leroux. After Centeno caught Adams stealing second for the innings first out, Leroux would finish off Field and outfielder Ryan Strausborger with consecutive strikeouts to end any further scoring threats.

 

The soon-to-be 29-year-old Ely has been placed on the Sky Sox DL, with RHP Tim Dillard activated to take his place.

 

Ely's injury has been listed as a "right elbow strain" on the Pacific Coast League transactions page. Considering Ely underwent Tommy John surgery in April of 2013 (pitched 31 games of relief in Boston's chain last year), that isn't a good thing.

[miggs721]

per brewerspd on twitter:

 

3B Sthervin Matos has been transferred to Wisconsin. C Natanael Mejia has been moved to the Rattlers disabled list.

[Mass Haas]

From Biloxi staff --

 

ROSTER MOVE: OF Josh Fellhauer has been placed on temporary inactive list and C Tyler LaTorre has been activated from ® Helena.

 

***

 

LaTorre has been traveling with the club all along. Helena is a paper placeholder.

[Mass Haas]

Via Chris Mehring, we learn that RHP Brock Hudgens has been placed on the 7-day DL at Wisconsin. He has struggled in his two appearances since his recent call-up from extended spring training. Hopefully OK and back to action soon.

 

Taking his place on the Timber Rattlers roster is RHP Gian Rizzo as the 21-year-old Venezuelan makes his full-season squad debut. Rizzo dazzled us in the Dominican back in 2011 and 2012, debuting stateside in Maryvale in 2013, and repeated the level last summer, where he struck out 32 and walked only three in 28.1 relief innings. He's still listed at 6'1", 160. For his pro career, Rizzo has struck out 209 and walked only 33 in 203 innings, also allowing only 194 hits (career WHIP 1.12). He's been more hittable the past two summers, so a bit of the shine is off from the post-2012 excitement. Still, a potentially exciting promotion.

[Mass Haas]

So catcher Juan Centeno is now a big league Brewer, up from Colorado Springs.

 

Miller Park Prospects has a nice write-up on Centeno.

 

Taking Centeno's spot on the Sky Sox roster is RHP Brandon Kintzler, off the 7-day DL there (fingernail).

 

With Scooter Gennett now joining Jonathan Lucroy on the DL, red-hot IF/OF Elian Herrera has had his contract purchased and he's back on the 40-man roster, and the big league 25-man roster.

 

But wait, to make room on the 40-man, Kintzler has been designated for assignment, so the Sky Sox will still play a man short until his status (claimed, outrighted) is resolved, which could take up to ten days (usually less).

[Mass Haas]

From Saturday's game --

 

The Manatees would score their final run of the night in the seventh inning. Johnny Davis would single with one out, beating out a close play at first. He went down after getting to the first base bag, as looked to have hurt his knee. He did get back to his feet with help from the training staff, but he was removed from the game.

 

***

 

Initially listed as day-to-day, the speedy OF Davis has now been placed on the Brevard 7-day DL. Hopefully it's just precautionary, and nothing major (and not impactful to his speed going forward).

 

Catcher Paul Eshleman joins the active Manatee roster, his first time at the high-A level.