Rule 5 Draft Rumors

Players selected in the annual Rule 5 Draft must remain on their new team's 25-man active roster all season, or be passed through waivers and offered back to their original club. Here's an update on the 12 players taken in the Major League portion of last December's draft…

• Rhiner Cruz, RHP, Astros (from Mets) — The 25-year-old has worked out of the Houston bullpen all season and owns a 6.80 ERA in 47 2/3 innings.
• Terry Doyle, RHP, Twins (from White Sox) — Doyle was returned to the ChiSox in Spring Training and he's since moved on to a team in Japan.
• Lucas Luetge, LHP, Mariners (from Brewers) — The 25-year-old southpaw has turned into a reliable bullpen weapon, pitching to a 3.13 ERA in 37 1/3 innings while holding left-handed hitters to a .169/.267/.169 batting line.
• Ryan Flaherty, IF, Orioles (from Cubs) — Flaherty, 26, has spent time on the DL this season but has otherwise hit .211/.252/.309 in 135 plate appearances for Baltimore.
• Cesar Cabral, LHP Yankees (from Red Sox via trade with Royals) — Cabral has been on the DL all season with an elbow injury.
• Lendy Castillo, RHP, Cubs (from Phillies) — The 23-year-old missed considerable time with a groin strain and owns a 10.22 ERA in 12 1/3 innings for Chicago.
• Gustavo Nunez, IF, Pirates (from Tigers) — Nunez has been on the DL all season with an ankle injury.
• Robert Fish, LHP, Braves (from Angels) — Fish has been on the DL all season with an elbow injury.
• Erik Komatsu, OF, Cardinals (from Nationals) — The 24-year-old hit .211/.286/.211 in 21 plate appearances with St. Louis, was claimed off waivers by the Twins, hit .219/.297/.219 in 37 plate appearances with Minnesota, then was returned to the Nationals in May.
• Marwin Gonzalez, IF, Astros (from Cubs via trade with Red Sox) — Gonzalez spent some time on the DL but has otherwise hit .234/.280/.328 in 215 plate appearances with Houston.
• Brett Lorin, RHP, Diamondbacks (from Pirates) — Arizona retained Lorin after a Spring Training trade with Pittsburgh.
• Brad Meyers, RHP, Yankees (from Nationals) — Meyers has been on the DL all season with a shoulder injury.

Cruz, Luetge, Flaherty, Castillo, and Gonzalez will become property of their current teams once the season ends, meaning they can go to the minors without having to clear waivers in the future. Players who not spend at least 90 days on the active (non-DL) roster like Cabral, Nunez, Fish, and Meyers will still be subject to the Rule 5 Draft rules next season.

Players selected in the annual Rule 5 Draft must remain on their new team's 25-man active roster all season, or be passed through waivers and offered back to their original club. Here's an update on the 12 players taken in December's draft…

• Rhiner Cruz, RHP, Astros (from Mets) — Competing with Henry Sosa and Lucas Harrell for the final bullpen spot.
• Terry Doyle, RHP, Twins (from White Sox) — Returned to ChiSox earlier this month.
• Lucas Luetge, LHP, Mariners (from Brewers) — Luetge made Seattle's Opening Day roster.
• Ryan Flaherty, IF, Orioles (from Cubs) — Flaherty is the favorite for Baltimore's utility infield job.
• Cesar Cabral, LHP Yankees (from Red Sox via Royals) — Cabral suffered a stress fracture in his elbow last night and will start the season on the DL.
• Lendy Castillo, RHP, Cubs (from Phillies) — The Cubs are expected to carry Castillo on their roster to start the season.
• Gustavo Nunez, IF, Pirates (from Tigers) — Nunez was placed on the 60-day DL with an ankle injury back in February.
• Robert Fish, LHP, Braves (from Angels) — Fish is battling a sore elbow and is headed to see Dr. James Andrews for a second opinion.
• Erik Komatsu, OF, Cardinals (from Nationals) — The Cardinals will carry Komatsu as an extra outfielder to start the season.
• Marwin Gonzalez, IF, Astros (from Cubs via Red Sox) — Gonzalez's chances of making the team appear to depend on the health of Jed Lowrie's thumb.
• Brett Lorin, RHP, Diamondbacks (from Pirates) — Arizona will retain Lorin after a trade with the Pirates.
• Brad Meyers, RHP, Yankees (from Nationals) — Meyers injured his shoulder during an offseason workout and has not appeared in a game this spring.

Today marks not only the conclusion of the Winter Meetings, but also the annual Rule 5 Draft. If you're not familiar with the Rule 5 Draft, be sure to check out MLBTR's primer.

While most of the names that come out of the Rule 5 Draft are inconsequential, every so often there's a gem that's uncovered; Johan Santana, Shane Victorino, Dan Uggla, and Josh Hamilton have all been Rule 5 selections, so you never know when you might run into an All-Star. Here's a preview of today's action:

• Baseball America's John Manuel provides the draft order and the number of open 40-man roster spots each team has.
• MLB.com's Jonathan Mayo discusses the Rule 5 Draft and some names to look for in this video segment.
• In a two part draft preview, Manuel also names some of the top candidates to be selected. While the links require a BA subscription to see all of the players and their scouting reports, we'll at least cover the names here.
• Pitchers: Caleb Brewer, Justin Fitzgerald, Brett Lorin, Diego Moreno, T.J. McFarland, Bryce Stowell, and Ryan Searle.
• Hitters: Abraham Almonte, Eduardo Sosa, Ryan Flaherty, Jiwan James, and Beamer Weems.
• Utility Guys and Role Players: Drew Cumberland, Jordan Danks, Blaine Hardy, Brandon Sisk, Justin Henry, Joe Ortiz, Trevor Reckling, Dae-Eun Rhee, Josh Smoker, and Johan Yan.
• Brewers GM Doug Melvin said his team probably won't make a pick in Thursday's Rule 5 Draft,tweets Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel
• The Pirates have at least thought about picking Nationals lefty Josh Smoker in the Rule 5 Draft, though it's not a lock according to John Perotto of Baseball Prospectus (on Twitter). Smoker was selected 31st overall by the Nats in 2007
• Even with tonight's hiring of Jeff Luhnow as the new Astros GM, it will be interim GM Dave Gottfried and scouting director/assistant GM Bobby Heck calling the shots at the Rule 5 Draft tomorrow, tweets Alyson Footer of the Astros
• Manuel writes that reports of the Twins focusing on pitching led to speculation on Mets righty Rhiner Cruz, but a club source said the team is looking in another direction.
• The Pirates have made a 40-man roster move that they haven't yet announced in order to open a spot to make a pick in the draft, tweets Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.
• As of last night the Yankees were planning on making a selection in the draft, tweets Joel Sherman of the New York Post.

Many Rule 5 picks ultimately return to their original organizations, as it's not easy to keep inexperienced players in the Major Leagues all season long. Nine of the 19 players selected in the Major League phase of last offseason's Rule 5 draft are back where they started and only five remain on active MLB rosters. Here’s another update on the draftees, two months into the season:

On Active Rosters (5)

• Pedro Beato of the Mets has a 2.38 ERA with a 13K/6BB ratio in 22 2/3 innings of relief. The 24-year-old right-hander is one of the most impressive selections of the draft. 
• Aneury Rodriguez of the Astros has transitioned to the rotation, where he is holding his own. The right-hander has turned in three solid starts this month and has a 4.98 ERA with 6.0 K/9 and 3.1 BB/9 through 34 1/3 total innings this year.
• Like Rodriguez, Nathan Adcock of the Royals has transitioned to the rotation this month. He allowed seven runs in an ugly outing Friday, but his season numbers remain solid. The 23-year-old has a 4.07 ERA with 4.8 K/9 and 2.6 BB/9 in 24 1/3 innings.
• D'Backs manager Kirk Gibson has used Joe Paterson strategically in his 22 appearances; 36 of the 49 batters who have faced the the southpaw have been left-handed. The results are good: one earned runs and 11 strikeouts in 11 2/3 innings with 7 hits and 5 walks allowed.
• Phillies utility player Michael Martinez is not hitting (.184/.212/.204 line through 53 plate appearances), but he has filled in at up-the-middle positions for the Phillies, playing short, second and center field.

Traded (3)

The Mets returned Brad Emaus to the Blue Jays, who traded the infielder to Colorado. Rule 5 restrictions no longer apply to Emaus, so the Rockies don't have to worry about losing him. The Twins retained Scott Diamond in a trade with the Braves and he has posted a 5.40 ERA with a 33K/18BB ratio in nine Triple-A starts. The Red Sox sent Daniel Turpen to the Rockies.

Injured (2)

Elvin Ramirez (Nationals) and Mason Tobin (Rangers) have been on the 60-day DL for over a month. They have to spend 90 non-September days on the active roster to become official property of their new teams. Otherwise, their Rule 5 status carries forward until the players spend 90 non-September days on the active roster.

Back Where They Started (9)

Brian Broderick, Josh Rodriguez, Jose Flores, Adrian Rosario, Pat Egan, Lance Pendleton, George Kontos, Robert Fish and Cesar Cabral are back with their original organizations.

Many Rule 5 picks ultimately return to their original organizations, as it's not easy to keep inexperienced players in the Major Leagues all season long. So far, 2011 is no exception; 8 of the 19 players selected in the Major League phase of last offseason's Rule 5 draft are back where they started. Here are updates on the draftees, four weeks into the season:

On Active Rosters (6)

• Pedro Beato of the Mets has yet to allow an earned run in 14 innings of relief. The most impressive Rule 5 pick of the year has allowed 7 hits and 3 walks, striking out 8. 
• Brian Broderick of the Nationals has allowed 2 walks and 9 hits in 8 1/3 innings with a single strikeout. He'll have to pitch better to deserve a roster spot all season long.
• Another reliever, Aneury Rodriguez of the Astros, has allowed 9 hits and 4 walks in 8 innings, striking out 7.
• Nathan Adcock of the Royals has allowed 10 hits and 3 walks in 10 innings with 4 strikeouts for a 2.70 ERA.
• D'Backs manager Kirk Gibson has used Joe Paterson strategically in his 11 appearances; 16 of the 20 batters who have faced the the southpaw have been left-handed. The results are good: 0 earned runs and 5 strikeouts in 4 2/3 innings with 2 hits and 3 walks allowed.
• Phillies utility player Michael Martinez has only batted 17 times, but his .423 OPS is not impressive. The switch-hitter has played second, short and center and will have to hit more to keep his roster spot.

Traded (3)

The Mets returned Brad Emaus to the Blue Jays, who traded the infielder to Colorado. Rule 5 restrictions no longer apply to Emaus, so the Rockies don't have to worry about losing him. The Twins retained Scott Diamond in a trade with the Braves and he has posted a respectable 3.48 ERA in four Triple-A starts. The Red Sox sent Daniel Turpen to the Rockies.

Injured (2)

Elvin Ramirez (Nationals) and Mason Tobin (Rangers) are on the 60-day DL. As Adam Rubin points out at ESPNNewYork.com, they have to spend 90 non-September days on the active roster to become official property of their new teams. Otherwise, their Rule 5 status carries forward until the players spend 90 non-September days on the active roster.

Back Where They Started (8)

Josh Rodriguez, Jose Flores, Adrian Rosario, Pat Egan, Lance Pendleton, George Kontos, Robert Fish and Cesar Cabral are back with their original organizations.

19 players were taken in the Major League phase of the Rule 5 draft in December.  Rule 5 picks are often returned to their original teams, as it's challenging to keep these players in the Majors all year.  Another option is for the two clubs to work out a trade.  The latest on this year's group:

• Pirates took infielder Josh Rodriguez from Indians.  The Pirates are seriously considering trying to work out a deal with the Tribe, reported MLB.com's Jenifer Langosch on Saturday.  Rodriguez is still in the mix for the Pirates' backup middle infield job, but Langosch says Pedro Ciriaco appears to be the favorite.
• Mariners took reliever Jose Flores from Indians.  Flores has yet to pitch above Low-A ball, and his spring stats (five runs, four hits, and four walks in 3 2/3 innings) haven't helped his case.  Even in the Mariners' unsettled bullpen it would be tough to keep Flores up all year. 
• Diamondbacks took reliever Joe Paterson from Giants.  As of March 10th the sidearming southpaw was a leading candidate to make the D'Backs.  His spring numbers are strong, and he has Triple-A experience.
• Orioles took reliever Adrian Rosario from Brewers.  He's only made two appearances this spring, and one of them resulted in a walk-off home run.  As of Friday, Roch Kubatko of MASNsports.com wrote that Rosario "isn't making the team."
• Royals took starter Nathan Adcock from Pirates.  Though he's only struck out three, Adcock is unscored upon in nine innings this spring.  He seems to have a good shot at making the team, a dream come true for a guy who was in High-A ball last year.
• Nationals took reliever Elvin Ramirez from Mets.  Back on March 13th, Adam Kilgore explained how arm trouble was preventing the Nationals from evaluating Ramirez.  Barring an amazing, healthy week Ramirez will be offered back to the Mets.
• Cubs took starter Mason Tobin from Angels; traded to Rangers.  With 5 2/3 scoreless innings, Tobin is "in the mix" for a bullpen job according to GM Jon Daniels.
• Astros took pitcher Aneury Rodriguez from Rays and starter Lance Pendleton from Yankees.  Neither pitcher won the fifth starter job, but Astros manager Brad Mills says they're both in the running for the bullpen.  Both have had control problems this spring.
• Brewers took reliever Pat Egan from Orioles.  He's tossed 6 1/3 scoreless innings and has Triple-A experience, so he appears to be in the running for a bullpen job.
• Mets took second baseman Brad Emaus from Blue Jays.  He's still in the Mets' second base mix with Luis Hernandez and Daniel Murphy.  Emaus' spring performance hasn't helped, though the release of Luis Castillo did.
• Padres took reliever George Kontos from Yankees.  He was returned on March 14th.
• Twins took starter Scott Diamond from Braves.  A trade appeared possible earlier this month.  Diamond has allowed one run in six spring innings, though his strikeout and walk numbers aren't pretty.    
• Yankees took reliever Robert Fish from Angels; claimed off waivers by Royals.  The Royals claimed the hard-throwing lefty six days ago, so clearly they're considering him for their bullpen. 
• Rays took reliever Cesar Cabral from Red Sox.  The Blue Jays got involved at one point, which requires its own explanation.  Cabral remains in the mix for the Rays.
• Phillies took infielder Michael Martinez from Nationals.  Castillo affects another Rule 5 pick, as Martinez's chances are hurt by the Phillies' acquisition of the veteran.  Even without Castillo, Martinez did not appear to be a frontrunner at second base.
• Nationals took starter Brian Broderick from Cardinals.  On Friday Nationals manager Jim Riggleman said Broderick was "forcing the issue" in competing for a long relief job.  He's allowed one run in 10 2/3 innings, though he's only struck out four.
• Mets took reliever Pedro Beato from Orioles.  The strikeouts aren't there, but Beato still appears likely to make the team.
• Yankees took reliever Daniel Turpen from Red Sox.  He was returned to the Red Sox on March 13th.
• So far, only two of the 19 Rule 5 picks have been returned.  Expect plenty more this week.