Minor League Transactions - 2015 Regular Season

[WV Brew]

Macias has been transferred to Colorado Springs. Jose Pena to Brevard County. The Manatees have been going with 3 outfielders since Johnny Davis was injured.

[Mass Haas]

(Brevard IF Brandon) Macias has been transferred to Colorado Springs. Jose Pena to Brevard County. The Manatees have been going with 3 outfielders since Johnny Davis was injured.

 

And, as many of you know by now, reliever switch with Rob Wooten going to Milwaukee and Tyler Thornburg to Colorado Springs.

[Mass Haas]

Via Chris Cotillo, with further details via MLB Trade Rumors:

 

The Brewers have signed lefty Michael Kirkman to a Minor League contract, reports SB Nation’s Chris Cotillo (also via Twitter). Kirkman was released by the Rangers midway through Spring Training so that he could pursue opportunities with other teams. That opportunity clearly didn’t emerge immediately, but Kirkman will give Milwaukee an experienced arm to serve as a depth piece. The 28-year-old southpaw has a 4.98 ERA with 8.7 K/9 and 4.6 BB/9 across 106 2/3 Major League frames, though he does come with a reverse platoon split. Kirkman’s career was slowed by a battle with skin cancer, but he returned to the mound in 2014 and was healthy in Spring Training prior to his release.

 

***

 

Not a major league deal, likely bound for AAA Colorado Springs at some point...

 

***

 

Michael Kirkman career stats via the Baseball Cube (minor and major)

 

***

 

Fox Sports Southwest --

 

"Kirkman, 28, bounced between Texas and Triple A for the last five years. He made his major-league debut with the Rangers in 2009 but spent most of the 2014 season in Triple A. He made 12 appearances for Texas last season, going 0-1 with a 1.59 ERA.

 

He was limited early this spring because of a sore left shoulder."

 

***

 

Via Kirkman's own tweet (follow him), he's in Maryvale at this time.

 

Since his pro debut in 2005, he has only been a Ranger. New chapter, indeed.

 

***

 

Via Gerry Fraley's Rangers blog on 3/17:

 

SURPRISE, Ariz. — The Texas Rangers cut their ties to enigmatic left-hander Michael Kirkman on Tuesday by releasing him from a minor-league contract.

 

Kirkman, 28, made 94 relief appearances with the Rangers during the last five seasons. He has a power arm but frustrated the Rangers with his inconsistencies. Kirkman helped the Rangers make this decision by walking a left-handed hitter, San Diego’s Yonder Alonso, in four pitches on Saturday.

 

Assistant general manager Thad Levine said the club considered trading Kirkman but decided to help him with the release now. This allows Kirkman to look for a job with the other 29 teams.

 

“It may be best suited for him to get a fresh start with another organization,” Levine said. “We wanted to give him the free rein to pursue the opportunity that he wants.”

 

Kirkman vowed to continue his career.

 

“I’m going to keep pitching,” said Kirkman, whom the Rangers acquired in the fifth round of the 2005 amateur draft. “I know what I can do. I enjoyed my time here, but now I move on.”

 

***

 

And finally, this March 2014 article focuses on Kirkman's cancer fight, and is well worth your while --

 

His cancer fight hopefully done, pitcher battles for Rangers spot

By Drew Davison, star-telegram.com

[Mass Haas]

As mentioned earlier today, Florida Today follows up:

 

Manatees' Macias gets called up to Triple A

Michael Parsons, FLORIDA TODAY

 

Brandon Macias got his call Wednesday morning.

 

The Brevard County Manatees infielder is heading to Colorado Springs and will join the Triple A team.

 

“We had some injuries that have been happening throughout the organization,” Manatees head coach Joe Ayrault said. “Exciting for him to go up there and get the opportunity to play.”

 

Macias was hitting .357 in seven games, with two doubles.

 

“Just a solid utility guy that can play multiple positions. He has been swinging the bat well, an aggressive hitter, likes to swing the bat,” Ayrault said. “He has been driving the ball well and doing some good things for us. He definitely deserves the opportunity.”

 

***

 

With Colorado Springs losing both Jason Rogers and Elian Herrera to call-ups, Macias' flexibility in the infield was a key, to be sure...

[torts]

did Macias jump from high A to AAA?

[Mass Haas]

Yes, we've seen this before where a player capable of utility type duties is jumped, as opposed to promoting a player from the level in-between, where regular playing time is needed.

 

Plus, a nice reward for Macias, a solid organizational contributor in his 5th season -- quite an accomplishment for an undrafted player.

[bork]

Plus it's likely to be short-lived, so they didn't want to make multiple moves.

[Mass Haas]

Busy transaction day -- the Wisconsin Media Notes indicates that OF Mitch Meyer, the Kansas State 2014 7th rounder who posted a .757 OPS in Helena but with 71 K's in 210 AB's, will join the Timber Rattlers, backfilling Jose Pena's spot (promoted to Brevard).

 

Meyer turned 23 in February and wasn't listed on the extended spring training rehab list, so it was a little surprising to not see him on the Wisconsin roster to begin 2015.

[Mass Haas]

Via the Manatees --

 

ML rehab assignment of RHP Jim Henderson has been transferred from Brevard County to Biloxi.

 

RHP Scott Lieser has been placed on the DL with Brevard County

 

RHP Tristan Archer has been transferred to the Brevard County roster from the Helena roster.

 

***

 

Lieser had allowed 11 runs and 14 hits in just three combined innings over his last two appearances, this likely explains his troubles, but no word on the nature or severity of his injury.

 

Archer, 24, pitched 113 innings at Wisconsin last season.

[Mass Haas]

The Shuckers place 40-man LHP Mike Strong on the 7-day DL. He left his outing on Saturday. When you click on that link, you'll see he's been excellent, but with too many walks, following a career pattern. It was suspected he tweaked his back, but that is not verified at all. Given Strong's 40-man status, maybe we can get an official Gord Ash update via Adam McCalvy.

 

Taking his spot is 6th-year farmhand RHP Eric Marzec, activated from the DL, per MiLB.com. His activation was also listed as a transfer from Helena by Shuckers' staff, so it's likely any "injury" to Marzec was simply a taxi-squad type way of maintaining organizational depth.

[Mass Haas]

Over the weekend, the Brewers announced the signing of LHP Trevor Lubking, a 22-year-old 14th round draft pick last summer by the Rays.

 

He had been released on March 28th, and to be honest, it's hard to figure out why Tampa Bay let the 6'0", 205 southpaw go (click on that player page) -- we would be scratching our heads if the Brewers had made such a move after just one season which included an Appalachian Pitcher of the Week honor in July of his rookie season.

 

This detailed draft-day article is worth your while and includes the following paragraph:

 

His success caught the eye of major league scouts, who made themselves known earlier this spring. It was clear the pros were interested, Lubking said, adding that it was the Milwaukee Brewers and Los Angeles Angels who showed the most interest.

 

Brief scouting report via the Rays' Fansided page

 

AUDIO: Can't say I'm a big fan of the drawn-out and a bit silly "27 Outs Podcasts", but Lubking took part in one this winter, linked here.

 

Find Trevor Lubking on Twitter here.

 

Lubking is in Maryvale, and will either make his Brewer debut with Helena or perhaps a call-up direct to Wisconsin before then.

 

http://static.wixstatic.com/media/daf2ed_67a9e16d1ae449f1ba76ba314c619ac6.jpg_srb_p_428_600_75_22_0.50_1.20_0.00_jpg_srb

[Mass Haas]

Brewers announce first, then McCalvy followed up with the ERA:

 

Chris Perez has opted out of his MiLB deal with Brewers. Colorado Springs wasn't working; 9.39 ERA in six Triple-A appearances.

 

***

 

And thus the "Chis Perez chose Colorado Springs because of the legalized marijuana" jokes can end.

 

The Sky Sox had 14 pitchers vs. 11 position players, maybe they'll wait until Gomez / Gennett are activated before returning to a 25-man squad.

[Mass Haas]

Initially posted on 4/20:

 

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.

 

UPDATE: Per the Brewers, Hudgens has been activated from Wisconsin's DL and returned to extended spring training (Helena roster on paper).

[Mass Haas]

Per the Brewers, RHP Brandon Moore has retired.

 

Moore, 23, was the Brewers' 17th round pick in 2013 out of the University of Arkansas. In 30 pro games between Helena and Wisconsin, he had posted a 5.60 ERA and 1.49 WHIP, and was still in extended spring training in Maryvale as of his decision.

[Mass Haas]

About the signing of LHP Trevor Lubking, detailed above, turns out he had signed with the Frontier Greys of the independent Frontier League on April 2nd, and was preparing for play with that league club, which plays all road games. Read this brief summary about the Greys and you'll see there are three league teams which allow for commute road trips (back and forth daily, like the Manatees often do). So it's a rough schedule, but somewhat alleviated by that.

 

So technically the Brewers purchased Lubking's contract, acquiring him from the Greys. Lubking would have begun play with the Greys in mid-May.

[Mass Haas]

Per Chris Mehring, 3B Tucker Neuhaus returns to action today since being sidelined in the season opener on the 9th. Neuhaus hinted that he'd be wearing goggles going forward, whether that will carry over to games remains to be seen (seen - no pun intended).

 

Replacing Neuhaus on the Rattler DL is OF Brandon Diaz, who left early in Tuesday's game after jamming his hand into second base.

[Mass Haas]

Per Chris Mehring, 3B Tucker Neuhaus returns to action today since being sidelined in the season opener on the 9th. Neuhaus hinted that he'd be wearing goggles going forward, whether that will carry over to games remains to be seen (seen - no pun intended).

 

Based on Tucker's reply to my tweet, looks like the goggles may be a night game thing? We'll see...next televised game is Friday.

[Mass Haas]

Wisconsin Media Notes:

 

RHP Mark Williams has been transferred from Helena (Pioneer League)

 

Infielder Jake Gatewood has been placed on the DL retroacative to April 30

 

***

 

Williams, 25, was suspended last August 1st for 50 games by MiLB (amphetamines) while assigned to Brevard County. Williams pitched in 15 games at AA Huntsville in 2013, which was just his 3rd pro season.

 

Williams was signed out of independent ball in 2011, the Brewers being his first affiliated club.

 

The big (6'2", 247) righty will look to move back up the chain quickly.

 

Re: Gatewood, we await MRI results on his knee, as was detailed in Thursday's Link Report.

[WV Brew]

Per Manatees' broadcast, Jim Henderson transferred to Colorado Springs from Biloxi.

[Mass Haas]

Wisconsin Media Notes:

 

RHP Mark Williams has been transferred from Helena (Pioneer League)

 

Infielder Jake Gatewood has been placed on the DL retroacative to April 30

 

***

 

Re: Gatewood, we await MRI results on his knee, as was detailed in Thursday's Link Report.

 

Excellent news via the J-S' Todd Rosiak:

 

Brewers assistant GM Gord Ash says Jake Gatewood suffered a right knee contusion and is out several weeks. Good news is no torn ligaments. Ash said the team will have a better idea of how long Gatewood will be out next week.

[Mass Haas]

Via the Shuckers--

 

Tanner Poppe, RHP, Placed on the temporary inactive list

 

Poppe, 24, has appeared in five games this season with no record and a 6.75 ERA. In 5.1 innings, the right-hander from Lawrence, Kansas has given up four runs on seven hits while walking three and striking out six. Poppe was Milwaukee's 31st round selection in 2013 out of the University of Kansas.

 

The Shuckers roster stands one shy of the league-max of 25, with 24 on the active roster including two on the temporary inactive list and one on the 7-day DL.

[Mass Haas]

Joan De La Cruz, the 6'3", 175 lb. LHP still only 20 years old after pitching his age 17, 18 and 19 seasons in the Dominican Summer League, had Tommy John surgery last October, as per the Brewers media guide.

 

Too bad, as you'll see by the linked player page, the native Dominican had made nice strides in his 2014 season.

 

At least with the timing, De La Cruz will be about 20 months from surgery by the time the 2016 Maryvale and Helena seasons begin.

[Mass Haas]

Brewers announce first, then McCalvy followed up with the ERA:

 

Chris Perez has opted out of his MiLB deal with Brewers. Colorado Springs wasn't working; 9.39 ERA in six Triple-A appearances.

 

Turns out RHP Josh Roenicke was activated from the DL back on April 28th when the Perez announcement took place. Roenicke made his season debut Saturday night.

[Mass Haas]

Via the Sky Sox --

 

The Colorado Springs Sky Sox and the Milwaukee Brewers have announced that LHP Brent Leach has been placed on the disabled list retroactive to April 30. In a corresponding move, LHP Michael Kirkman has been transferred to Colorado Springs from extended spring training and will join the team in Memphis for their series against the Redbirds starting Monday, May 4. Kirkman will wear #50 with the Sky Sox. Roster at 25.

[Mass Haas]

40-man roster LHP Mike Strong has been activated from the Shuckers' 7-day DL after the minimum time. We never did get a formal online confirmation on his injury, so we're just glad he's back and ready to go.